JOSEPH 

AND-HIS-BRETHREN 


JOSEPH  AND   HIS   BRETHREN 


BY  LOUIS   N.   PARKER 


POMANDER  WALK.  Novel- 
ized from  the  Play.  With  illustra- 
tions by  J.  Scott  Williams.  Sq.  8vo. 
$1.30  net.  Postage  12  cents 

DISRAELI.    A  Play.    Illustrated 

from  photographs.     12mo. 

$1.00  net.  Postage  10  cents 


JOHN   LANE    COMPANY 
PUBLISHERS  NEW  YORK 


JOSEPH 

From  a  Drawing  by  Dorothy  Parker 


JOSEPH    AND    HIS 
BRETHREN 


A  PAGEANT  PLAY 


BY 

LOUIS  N.  PARKER 

Author  of  "Pomander  Walk,"  "Disraeli."  "Drake."  etc. 


ILLUSTRATED 


NEW  YORK 

JOHN    LANE    COMPANY 
MCMXIII 


COPTBIGHT,  1913,  BY 

JOHN  LANE  COMPANY 


J.  J.  Little  &  Ives  Co.,  New  York,  U.  S.  A. 


To  HENRY  ROWLAND  BROWN 
Guide,  Philosopher,  and  Friend 


NOTE 

The  term  Pageant  Play,  which  is  new,  may  require  a 
word  of  explanation.  A  Pageant  Play,  as  I  conceive  it, 
is  a  play  written  on  the  same  principles  as  my  Eng- 
lish Pageants.  In  those  the  towns  in  which  they  took 
place  were  the  heroes.  In  my  Pageant  Plays  the  hero 
is  some  outstanding  figure:  Drake — Joseph.  As  in  my 
pageants  I  told  the  entire  history  of  the  town,  so  in 
these  plays  I  attempt  to  tell  the  entire  history  of  the 
man.  The  so-called  unities  of  time  and  place  are  there- 
fore of  no  consideration ;  but  are  replaced  by  a  much 
more  important  unity:  the  unity  of  idea.  I  should  like 
to  add  that  under  no  circumstances  is  what  is  commonly, 
but  wrongly,  understood  as  pageantry  introduced  for  its 
own  sake;  nor  scenery  either.  There  is,  for  instance, 
no  unnecessary  display  of  scenery  in  "Joseph,"  any 
more  than  there  is  in  "Drake."  On  the  contrary,  the 
scenery  in  both  plays  is  of  the  simplest  nature,  or  the 
play  could  not  be  represented.  It  happens,  however, 
to  be  extraordinarily  well  painted.  Joseph  and  His 
Brethren  was  first  performed  under  the  management 
of  Messrs.  Liebler  &  Co.  at  the  Century  Theatre,  New 
York,  on  Saturday,  January  11,  1913. 

I  reprint  the  programme  of  the  first  performance 
because  I  am  very  grateful  to  this  large  body  of  artists, 
and  because  I  hope  they  will  be  glad  to  have  a  permanent 
record  of  what  was,  to  us,  a  memorable  occasion. 

Louis  N.  PARKER. 


CHARACTERS 


CANAANITES 


Reuben^ 

r  . 

HARVEY  BRABAN 

Simeon  1  Sons  of  Leah. 

.     .     • 

HOWARD  KYLE 

Levi 

•     •     •" 

FRANK  WOOLFE 

Judah  J 

•  »     .     • 

EMMET  KINO 

Dan    .     . 
Naphtali 

j-Sons  of  Bilhah 

1 

CHARLES  MACDONALD 
JAMES  O'NEILL,  JR. 

Gad    .     . 

Asher 

1 

Sons  of  Zilpah 

1 

LESLIE  PALMER 
FRANKLYN  PANGBORN 

Issachar 
Zebulun  . 

1 

Later  Sons  of  Leah 

1 

F.  WILMOT 
EDWIN  CUSHMAN 

Joseph    . 

Ben  j  arnin 

1 

Sons  of  Rachel 

1 

BRANDON  TYNAN 
SIDNEY  D.  CARLYLE 

1st  Slave 

HARRY  MELICK 

2d   Slave     .......  HAROLD  ROWE 

3d  Slave MALCOLM  MORLEY 

First  Camel  Driver  ....  ERNEST  MILTON 

Rachel OLIVE  OLIVER 

Bilhah MADELINE  TRAVERSE 

Zilpah HARRIET  Ross 

Serah,  Daughter  of  Asher     .  IRMA  LERNA 

First  Water  Bearer       .     .     .  VIOLET  ROMER 

Water  Hearers,  Attendants,  Musicians,  Camel  Drivers, 
Nubian  Slaves,  Children,  etc,,  etc. 


CHARACTERS 


EGYPTIANS 

Pharaoh  (Usertesen)     .     .     .  JAMES  O'NEILE 

Potiphar,  Captain  of  Pharaoh's 

Army FRANK  LOSEE 

Imhotep,  Chief  Butler  to  Pha- 
raoh       FRANK  WOOLFE 

Serseru,  Chief  Baker  to  Pha- 
raoh       HORACE  JAMES 

Ranofer,  Lord  Treasurer    .     .  FRANKLYN  PANGBORN 

Dedefre,   a  Noble     ....  HARRY  MELICK 

Heru     1  f  PEDRO  DE  CORDOBA 

Ani  f^a*         .    n  ..  ,      ,        JAS.  K.  WHITMORE 

Tehuti    [Officers  mPobphars  I  w   T    CARLETQN 
Sebni  household  DouGLAS  Ross 

Atha      J  i.  BENNET  KILPACK 

Menthu,  High  Priest  of  Neith     CHARLES  MACDONALD 
Ansu,  the  Chief  Magician     .     JAMES  O'NEILL,  JR. 
Iri,  the  Chief  Soothsayer  .     .     F.  WILMOT 

First  Physician EDWIN  CUSHMAN 

Second  Physician      ....     MALCOLM  MORLEY 
Pesbes,  the  Court  Dwarf  .     .     CHARLES  ROGERS 
Enenkhet,  Captain  of  the  Prison,  CHARLES  HERMAN 

afterwards  Steward  to  Joseph 

An  Officer JAMES  VORN 

A  Soldier HAROLD  ROWE 

Zuleika PAULINE  FREDERICK 

Asenath,  Daughter  to  Menthu     LILY  CAHILL 
Wakara,      Tiring-woman      to 

Zuleika JANE  FERRELL 

Tamai,  Chiief  Maid-in-waiting 

to  Zuleika  DOROTHY  PARKER 


CHARACTERS 


Mehlu 

Anset 

Arilennu 

Taherer 

Nesta 


f  EDITH  CREEL  SPOFFARD 

PATRICIA  O'CONNOR 
Maids-m-waitmg  to  I  j          LERNA 

Zuleika  MIRIAM  COLLINS 


Shepset    )  XT  , .    T    ,. 
Khenen    j  Noble  Ladies 


[  FRANCES  WRIGHT 
I  MADELINE  TRAVERSE 
{  HARRIET  Ross 
A  Dancer VIOLET  ROMER 

Nobles,     Warriors,     Priests,     Soothsayers,     Magicians, 
Ladies,  Dancers,  Slaves,  etc.,  etc. 

The   Incidental   Music   Composed   by   Arthur   Farwell. 
The  Scenery  Designed  by  Gates  and  Morange. 


ILLUSTRATIONS 

FACING 

PAGE 

JOSEPH Frontispiece 

JACOB 10 

THE  BROTHERS  ATTACKING  JOSEPH  ...  24 

JOSEPH  IS  SOLD  INTO  BONDAGE   ....  32 

ZULEIKA 56 

JOSEPH  AND  ZULEIKA 80 

IN  THE  COURT  OF  PHARAOH 104 

SIMEON 120 


ACT  I 

THE  TENTS  OF   SHECHEM 
GENESIS  XXXV;  XXXVII 


PERSONS 

Jacob  Gad 

Reuben  Asher 

Simeon  Joseph 

Levi  1st  Slave 

Judah  2d  Slave 

Issachar  3d  Slave 

Zebulun  Rachel 

Dan  Bilhah 

Naphtali  Zilpah 


ACT   I 

SCENE  1 — The  Tents  of  Shechem 

A  pleasant  grove  in  a  wide  valley,  with  snowcapped 
mountains  in  the  distance. 

The  scene  is  on  elevated  ground,  so  that  the  whole 
expanse  of  the  valley  is  disclosed  between  palm  trees 
and  other  foliage. 

Indications  of  a  large  tent  on  the  right.  In  the 
valley,  dimly  seen,  are  groups  of  tents,  from  which, 
when  the  sun  has  risen,  thin  threads  of  smoke  rise 
straight  into  the  air. 

It  is  the  moment  just  before  dawn.  The  snowy  caps 
of  the  distant  mountains  glow  with  a  rosy  light  which 
slowly  creeps  down  their  sides  until  the  whole  land- 
scape is  baking  in  the  glare  of  the  sun.  The  scene 
remains  in  cool  shade. 

Before  the  rise  of  the  curtain  a  long,  melodious  horn- 
call  has  sounded.  As  the  curtain  rises  a  SLAVE  standing 
near  the  tent  L.  is  seen  blowing  on  a  ram's  horn.  Gradu- 
ally the  scene  comes  to  life.  SLAVES  move  hither  and 
thither  upon  household  duties,  fetching  water  in  skins 
from  the  well  which  is  seen  on  the  left.  WOMEN  pass, 
with  water  in  jars  balanced  on  their  heads.  Camels, 
very  small  asses  and  sheep  are  driven  to  pasturage  at 
the  back  of  the  scene,  etc.,  etc. 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

SD  SLAVE  [LEVIES  SLAVE]  [To  him  who  has  just  blown 
the  signal]  Out  on  thee,  slave  of  Simeon,  wilt  thou 
shatter  the  dawn? 

IST  SLAVE  [SIMEON'S  SLAVE]  Thinkest  thou  the 
dawn  will  wait  for  thee,  wretched  bondman  of  a  starve- 
ling lord? 

20  SLAVE.  My  Lord  Levi  hath  thrice  more  flocks 
than  thy  Simeon. 

[2o  SLAVE  comes  down] 

SD  SLAVE  [DAN'S  SLAVE]  Who  speaketh  of  Levi  and 
Simeon?  Dan  is  mightier  than  both. 

IST  SLAVE  [Contemptuously]  The  handmaid's  son, 
forsooth! — Get  thee  to  thy  stinking  camels. 

[Enter  JUDAH  and  DAN.  They  are  superb  figures; 
their  costume  suggests  at  once  the  shepherd  and 
warrior  combined.  Judah  is  the  elder] 

JUDAH  [Sternly]     What  is  this  wrangling,  slaves? 

IST  SLAVE  [With  a  deep  obeisance]  We  are  but 
praising  our  lords 

2D  SLAVE.     And  the  hands  that  feed  us. 

JUDAH  [Haughtily]  Get  ye  to  your  labour  and  your 
toil.  The  sons  of  Jacob  need  no  praise  from  lips  of 
slaves. 

[Exeunt  the  SLAVES,  but  the  movement  of  the  SER- 
VANTS and  WOMEN  con"tinue»  throughout  the 
scene] 

DAN  [Laughing]  The  sun  hath  not  risen  in  a  happy 
hour  for  thee  to-day! 

[Enter  GAD.    He  is  of  lighter,  more  youthful  build 
than  his  brothers.     Each  of  the  SONS  OF  JACOB, 
4 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

as  he  enters,  is  accompanied  by  his  own  RETINUE 
of  three  or  four  MEN] 

GAD.     Yet  'tis  a  day  of  rejoicing! 

JUDAH.     What  day  is  it,  Gad? 

GAD  [Laughing]  Nay,  if  thou  know  not,  I'll  not  tell 
thee. 

JUDAH  [Angrily]     Wilt  thou  mock  thine  elders,  boy? 

GAD.  Oh,  my  elders,  my  elders !  What  worth  is 
thine  elderhood?  When  thou  art  hidden  in  the  grave  I 
shall  be  in  the  flower  of  my  days. 

JUDAH  [Furious]     Accursed  seed  of  a  handmaid 

GAD   [Laughing]     Let  not  Dan  hear  thee. 

JUDAH.  The  tents  of  Shechem  are  overrun  with  a 
base-born  brood! 

[Enter  SIMEON.  He  is  thin,  wizened,  with  a  crafty 
face  and  a  furtive  eye.  His  dress  is  not  so  rich 
as  that  of  any  of  his  brothers] 

SIMEON.     Whither  lead  ye  your  flocks  to-day? 
DAN.    What  matter  to  thee,  Simeon? 
SIMEON.    Lest  we  all  seek  the  same  pasture. 
DAN.     Or  to  tell  thee  where  the  best  is. 
GAD.      Whether   we   seek   toward  sunrise   or   sunset, 
Simeon's  flocks  have  left  no  blade. 

[Enter  NAPHTALI] 

NAPHTALI.  To  that  I,  Naphtali,  bear  witness. 
Simeon  is  as  the  grasshopper;  who  cometh  after  him 
starveth. 

[Enter  ISSACHAR] 

ISSACHAR.  He  setteth  spies  among  us — when  we  hear 
of  new  pasture,  he  is  told,  and  stealeth  it. 

5 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

SIMEON.  Issachar!  Issachar!  How  much  more  of 
this  insolence  shall  I  suffer! 

[Enter  LEVI] 

LEVI.  These  youths  wax  turbulent.  Our  father 
Jacob  shall  have  a  word  for  them! 

GAD  [With  a  mock  bow~\  The  solemn  Levi!  Broth- 
ers, doff  your  sandals ! 

[Enter  ZEBULUN] 

[The  sons  of  LEAH:  SIMEON,  LEVI  and  JUDAH  are 
together  on  one  side  of  the  stage  with  their 
retinues,  the  other  brothers  face  them] 

ZEBULUN.    Why  have  our  elders  such  frowning  faces  ? 
GAD.     Hush,  Zebulun !     Oh,  hush !     Levi  is  about  to 
speak! 

LEVI.    And  a  blow  shall  follow  the  word ! 

[An  angry  roar  from  both  sides.  The  Attendants 
on  either  side  make  ready  their  weapons;  spears, 
slings  and  stones,  bows  and  arrows] 

[AsHER  comes  hurriedly  down  the  centre] 
ASHER.     Brothers !     Great  news ! 

[The  quarrel  is  arrested] 

LEVI.     What  news,  son  of  Zilpah? 

GAD.     Whence  runnest  thou,  Asher? 

ASHER.  I  come  from  the  fringe  of  the  desert. 
Thither  came  a  swarthy  runner,  seeking  a  well.  For 
far  in  his  wake,  he  said,  followed  a  mighty  train 

SIMEON  [Anxiously]     Thou  showd'st  him  no  well! 

ASHER.     Ay,  but  I  did 

[All  give  a  cry  of  anger] 
6 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

SIMEON.  Have  we  battled  for  pastures  and  wells,  to 
give  them  to  strangers  ? 

ASHER.  Wait  till  my  tale  be  told.  In  this  runner's 
wake,  then,  journeyed  a  great  host;  and  nightly  he 
was  sent  ahead  to  seek  a  resting-place  for  the  next 
morn.  When  this  was  found  he  ran  back  as  he  came, 
and  led  the  voyagers  thither. 

SIMEON.  And  they  defile  the  water  and  trample  the 
young  grass. 

LEVI.  They  kill  our  herds  and  seize  our  young 
maidens  for  a  prey. 

ASHER.  I  tell  you,  these  come  not  in  war  or  for 
rapine.  They  themselves  are  bearing  a  treasure  of 
great  price  down  to  Egypt — 

SIMEON      [Eagerly]     What  treasure? 

ASHER.  Nought  for  thy  claws  to  clutch.  They  come 
from  Nineveh 

LEVI.     From  Nineveh ? 

ASHER.  And  they  journey  to  Egypt.  They  bring  a 
wife  for  one  of  Pharaoh's  officers. 

JUDAH.     Is  she  fair? 

ASHER.  Thinkest  thou  the  runner  had  seen  her? 
Now,  hearken.  They  seek  food  and  raiment,  for  the 
way  is  long.  Also,  wherever  they  pass  they  purchase 
gifts  for  their  Lord  and  for  Pharaoh — whatsoever  is 
richest  in  the  land 

SIMEON.     When  will  they  pass? 

ASHER.  When  the  runner  left  them,  they  were  hard 
by  Tirzah. 

SIMEON  [Moving  off]     I  will  go  forth 

JUDAH.     And  I  with  thee,  Simeon. 

SIMEON   [Angrily]     I  have  no  need  of  thee. 

LEVI.  Think  you  this  is  for  one  or  for  two?  I  have 
the  finest  woven  stuffs,  and  cups  of  beaten  gold — 

7 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

DAN.  Have  I  naught?  Have  I  no  gems  in  which  the 
sun  is  imprisoned? 

GAD.     I,  then !     Spices  and  sweet  ointments ! 

ISSACHAR  [Aggressively]  This  is  not  for  the  sons 
of  handmaids. 

ASHER.  Shall  I  bring  you  the  news,  and  have  no 
reward  ? 

JUDAH.  Is  it  battle  between  us  ?  Have  you  forgotten 
how  we  slew  the  men  of  Shechem? 

SIMEON.     So  will  we  deal  with  you  also ! 

GAD.     We  fought,  while  ye  prated! 

LEVI.     On  your  heads  be  it,  then ! 

[Uproar.  The  two  factions  are  just  coining  to 
blows  when  REUBEN  fights  his  way  through 
them] 

REUBEN.  Peace — peace,  I  say ! — I,  Reuben,  the  eld- 
est-born, speak ! 

ALL  [Falling  apart,  and  with  respect]     Reuben! 

REUBEN  [Sternly]  Are  ye  the  brood  of  Cain,  that 
each  would  have  his  brother's  blood,  on  the  day  our 
Father  Jacob  hath  set  apart  as  a  day  of  rejoicing? 

JUDAH.  Twice  have  I  heard  the  day  named  as  a  day 
of  rejoicing.  What  is  the  day? 

REUBEN.  Have  ye  forgotten?  To-day  Rachel's  eld- 
est-born cometh  to  manhood. 

JUDAH.     Joseph ! 

ALL.     Joseph! — The  dreamer — The  upstart! 

SIMEON.     No  day  of  rejoicing  for  us. 

DAN.     Rather  a  day  of  dust  and  ashes. 

ASHER  [Eagerly]  Brothers!  No  word  of  my  news 
to  Joseph ! 

ISSACHAR.     He  would  turn  it  to  his  own  good. 
8 


REUBEN  [To  ASHER,  sternly]  Son  of  Zilpah,  what  is 
thy  news? 

SIMEON  [Obsequiously,  to  REUBEN]  I  will  tell  thee, 
apart. 

ASHER.     Ay,  him;   but  not  Joseph. 

LEVI  [To  the  Brothers  generally]  We  will  share 
with  you  all,  if  we  needs  must;  but  the  dreamer  shall 
have  no  part. 

ALL.     Ay !  Ay !     No  part  for  the  dreamer ! 

REUBEN.  I  know  not  what  new  thing  ye  are  banded 
in  against  Joseph;  but  I  bid  you  beware.  Our  father 
loveth  him  as  the  apple  of  his  eye.  To-day,  ere  we  go  to 
our  flocks,  he  is  to  endue  him  with  the  robe  of  manhood. 
To-night,  when  our  labour  is  done,  there  is  to  be  great 
feasting.  Bring  no  sorrow  into  our  father's  house 
to-day.  Moreover,  Joseph  hath  dreamed  a  dream 

GAD  [With  a  mocking  laugh]     That  is  no  new  thing! 

REUBEN  [Sternly]  Bridle  thy  tongue — for  when  did 
Joseph's  dreams  not  come  true?  And  now  he  dreamed 
we  were  binding  corn  in  the  fields,  and,  lo,  his  sheaf 
arose  and  stood  upright,  and,  behold,  our  sheaves  stood 
round  about,  and  made  obeisance  to  his  sheaf. 

SIMEON  [Surlily]     What  is  the  interpretation  thereof? 

JUDAH   [Hotly]      Shall  he  reign  over  us? 

DAN.     Shall  he,  indeed,  have  authority  over  us  ? 

GAD  [To  brothers]  Why  are  ye  affrighted  by  a 
dream  ? 

REUBEN.  And  he  dreamed  again,  and,  behold,  the 
sun  and  the  moon,  and  the  eleven  stars  made  obeisance 
to  him. 

LEVI.  Enough !  Enough  !  How  long  shall  we  suffer 
him  to  prate  of  his  dreams? 

NAPHTALI.  He  hath  stolen  our  father's  love  with  his 
visions ! 

9 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

REUBEN.      Not   so.      Jacob    rebuked   him,    and   said, 
What  is  this  dream  that  thou  hast  dreamed?      Shall  I 
and  thy  mother   and  thy  brethren  indeed  come  to  bow 
down  ourselves  to  thee  to  the  earth? 
[Up  to  tent] 

ASHER.    Ay,  he  rebuked  him;  but  did  he  punish  him? 

ISSACHAR.     Not  so: — he  observes  Joseph's  saying. 

SIMEON.  Ay — he  feareth  him.  Wherefore  we  must 
humble  the  lad  overselves. 

REUBEN  [Sternly]     Silence! — Our  father! 

[Enter  SERVANTS  bringing  a  seat;  others  with  skins 
which  they  spread  in  front  of  the  seat;  then,  sup- 
ported by  two  young  slaves,  JACOB.  He  is 
eighty-six  years  old.  A  magnificent  venerable 
figure.  He  is  followed  by  RACHEL, — Behind 
RACHEL  comes  BILHAH,  and  lastly  ZILPAH.  The 
Brothers  all  make  deep  obeisance  to  JACOB,  who 
sits  in  the  chair  which  has  been  placed  for  him. 
DAN  and  NAPHTALI  go  to  BILHAH,'  similarly 
GAD  and  ASHER  join  ZILPAH] 

JACOB  [Standing]  God  set  His  face  towards  you,  O 
my  sons,  this  day  and  all  days. 

BROTHERS  [JRf*e]     And  towards  thee,  O  father. 

JACOB.  God  hath  been  very  merciful  towards  me,  and 
hath  given  me  length  of  days;  I  have  prospered  in  the 
land;  I  am  at  peace  with  Esau,  my  brother;  all  my  sons 
are  with  me,  and  to-day,  Joseph  [He  takes  RACHEL'S 
hand],  Rachel's  first-born,  fruit  of  who  knows  what  love 
and  what  prayer,  hath  come  to  man's  estate 

SIMEON.  It  had  been  more  fitting  had  Joseph  stood 
here  with  us.  , 

RACHEL.  Simeon,  Simeon,  thy  brother  Joseph  was 
with  thy  father  long  ere  the  sun  rose. 

10 


-     ' 


JACOB 

From  a  Drawing  by  Dorothy  Parker 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

JACOB.  Ay,  for  he  was  troubled  with  visions  God 
had  sent  him  in  the  morning  watch. 

ISSACHAR  [Hotly]  So  are  we,  troubled  with  his 
visions ! 

JACOB.     Know  ye  what  he  dreamed? 

GAD.    Ay.    Reuben  made  haste  to  tell  us. 

LEVI.     Is  the  boy  to  be  set  above  us  ? 

JUDAH  [Kneels]  My  lord,  we  have  toiled  for  thee, 
watching  thy  flocks  by  day  and  by  night,  warding  off 
ravening  beasts,  and  tending  the  young  lambs.  More- 
over, when  thy  herds  grew  more  in  number  than  the 
sands  of  the  sea,  we  fought  for  new  pastures  and  would 
have  laid  down  our  lives  for  thee.  The  men  of  Shechem 
can  tell  of  the  weight  of  our  blows.  What  hath  Joseph 
done,  that  thou  lovest  him  more  than  us? 

SIMEON.  We  have  bought  and  sold  for  thee,  not 
thinking  of  our  own  gain,  but  ever  to  strengthen  thy 
hands.  What  hath  Joseph  done? 

GAD.  Set  thy  face  towards  us,  as  it  is  towards 
Joseph. 

DAN.    We  weary  of  Joseph's  name ! 

RACHEL  [To  JACOB]  My  lord,  shall  the  son  of  my 
handmaid  speak  scornfully  of  my  first-born? 

BILHAH.     Dan  is  the  elder,  my  lord! 

RACHEL   [To  her]      Out  on  thee! 

JACOB  [To  BENJAMIN]  Bid  Joseph  come.  [BENJA- 
MIN runs  out]  Woe  upon  you  all,  that  ye  speak  evil 
of  your  brother  in  his  absence.  [He  sees  JOSEPH] 
My  son,  come  hither. 

[Enter  JOSEPH] 

JOSEPH  [Making  obeisance — not  kneeling — to  JACOB] 
Here  I  am,  my  lord. 

RACHEL.     Joseph!     My  beloved! 

11 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

JOSEPH.     Thy  blessing,  mother. 

JACOB  [Brethren  murmuring  with  backs  turned] 
There  shall  be  peace  in  the  house  of  Jacob.  Ye  mur- 
mur against  Joseph,  saying  my  heart  goeth  out  to  him 
more  than  to  you.  Ye  are  vain  talkers.  I  love  him, 
not  better,  but  otherwise.  Oh,  hard  of  heart !  can  ye 
not  see  and  understand  what  my  love  is  towards  the 
lad?  It  is  the  love  I  bore  to  his  mother  in  the  years 
past.  It  is  the  love-song  I  whispered  into  her  ear  as 
she  stood  by  the  well.  It  is  the  toil  I  gave  to  win  her. 
It  is  the  hope  long  deferred.  It  is  the  sunshine  of 
youth,  bursting  through  the  shadow  of  age.  You,  sons 
of  Leah,  sons  of  Bilhah,  sons  of  Zilpah,  have  been  the 
joy  of  my  life;  but  he — but  Joseph — is  a  joy  above 
joys: — the  Added  Joy! 

SIMEON.    Yet 

REUBEN  [Stepping  forward]  O  Father  Jacob,  great 
Israel,  we  know  thy  heart  and  thy  mind,  and  we  will 
cherish  Joseph,  even  as  thou  dost. 

JOSEPH    [Coming  to  REUBEN]      Reuben,  my  brother! 

JACOB.  In  token  thereof  give  him  the  kiss  of  love. 
Rachel,  begin! 

[First  RACHEL  and  then  each  of  the  BROTHERS 
comes  forward,  places  both  hands  on  JOSEPH'S 
shoulders,  speaks  his  blessing  and  kisses  JOSEPH 
on  the  cheek.  Then  they  pass  back  to  their 
groups] 

RACHEL.     God  shield  thee,  Joseph. 
REUBEN.     God  strengthen  thee. 
LEVI.     God  keep  thee. 
JUDAH.     God  succour  thee. 
DAN.     God  enlighten  thee. 
NAPHTALI.    God  lengthen  thy  days. 
12 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

GAD.    God  increase  thee. 
ASHER.     God  prosper  thee. 
ISSACHAR.     God  reward  thee. 
ZEBULUN.     God  uphold  thee. 

[SIMEON  has  stood  apart  with  folded  arms  and  bent 
brows] 

REUBEN    [Reproachfully]      Simeon 

SIMEON  [Between  his  teeth]    I  cannot;  nor  I  will  not. 

REUBEN.     Our  father  watcheth. 

SIMEON   [Advancing  against  his  will]      Joseph  .  .  . 

JACOB  [Who  has  been  anxiously  watching,  sinks  back 
with  a  sigh  of  relief]  All  is  well! 

JOSEPH  [Smiling]      Ay,  brother  Simeon ? 

SIMEON.  Our  brothers  have  left  me  no  blessing  to 
give  thee. 

JOSEPH.    Yet  bless  me. 

SIMEON  [Without  unfolding  his  arms]  God — judge 
thee. 

[He  turns  away  without  kissing  JOSEPH] 

JACOB  [To  JOSEPH]  Come!  [JACOB  rises;  JOSEPH 
comes  to  him,  and  is  about  to  kneel]  Nay,  to-day  I  bow 
to  thee.  He  that  goeth  down  boweth  to  him  that  cometh 
up.  [Two  handmaidens  bring  a  cloak  of  camel's  hair 
which  they  allow  to  fall  open.  JACOB  takes  it  from 
them]  Now  upon  thy  young  shoulders  I  lay  the 
Robe  of  Manhood  and  authority.  Lo,  here,  the  coat  of 
many  colours ;  and  each  colour  shall  be  for  a  sign :  azure 
for  wisdom,  scarlet  for  courage,  green  for  prayer,  and 
white  for  purity.  I  clasp  thee  to  me,  flesh  of  my  flesh; 
thy  young  heart  against  my  old  heart,  whose  first-born 
thou  art;  I  raise  my  hand  towards  the  throne  of  God, 
and  I  cry:  God  bless  thee! 

[Long  embrace.     The  BROTHERS  mutter  together] 
13 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

SIMEON.    What  is  this  robe  of  manhood  and  authority  ? 

ISSACHAR.     Not  one  of  us  hath  it. 

NAPHTALI.     Over  whom  hath  he  authority? 

DAN.     Not  over  me,  for  one. 

LEVI.     Our  father  will  make  him  his  heir. 

ASHER    [To  Reuben]      First-born  of  his  heart ! 

Reuben,  did'st  thou  hear? 
•REUBEN  [Soothingly]     Peace!    Peace! 

JOSEPH.  O  father — mother — O  my  brothers !  Ye 
have  wrapped  me  about  with  love.  Yea,  and  the  bless- 
ing wherewith  ye  blessed  me  is  already  granted  by 
God. 

SIMEON.     What  now? 

JOSEPH.  For  lo,  the  dream  I  told  my  father  at  dawn 
is  fulfilled.  Sun,  moon,  and  stars — you,  my  beloved — 
have  bowed  to  me. 

SIMEON.    Ha ! 

[Angry  movement  among  the  BROTHERS] 

JACOB  [Gravely]     My  son 

JOSEPH.  Not  as  to  a  greater  than  yourselves.  What 
am  I,  O  Israel,  in  thy  presence?  Or  who  am  I  among 
these  mighty  sons  of  a  mighty  father? — Nay,  but  as  the 
sun  boweth  to  the  earth  to  make  her  fruitful;  as  the 
moon  boweth  to  shine  on  the  young  lambs;  as  the  stars 
bow  to  gladden  the  waters;  so  have  ye  bowed  to  me 
with  blessings  and  the  gift  of  your  love. 

SIMEON.     Cunningly  twisted ! 

GAD.     True  son  of  his  father! 

SIMEON.  But  he  shall  not  win  my  birthright  for  a 
mess  of  soft  words. 

JACOB.  Now  the  day's  labour  summoneth  us.  What 
new  thing  is  there,  Reuben? 

REUBEN.  Asher  telleth  of  a  strange  woman  from 
14 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

Nineveh,  journeying  with  a  great  following  into  Egypt. 
They  will  reach  our  wells  in  Dothan  anon. 

JACOB.  Go  thither.  Take  fruits  and  rich  woven 
stuffs  and  whatsoever  the  wayfarers  need,  and  barter 
with  them. 

GAD  [Laughing]  The  strangers  are  hard  to  deal 
with:  Simeon  shall  do  the  bartering. 

JACOB  [With  a  smile]  That  will  be  to  our  increase. 
And  to-night  we  will  have  feasting  and  song  and  merry- 
making in  Joseph's  honour;  and  he  shall  come  in  among 
us  to  the  sound  of  music;  and  I  will  place  him  in  the 
high  seat  by  my  side,  and  show  him  to  all  my  house, 
as  my  well-beloved  son ;  and  ye  shall  all  bring  your  gifts. 

REUBEN  [To  SERVANTS]     Make  ready! 

[SERVANTS  lead  on  asses.  Others  bring  bales  and 
packages  which  they  load  on  the  backs  of  the 
asses.  All  this  is  done  well  at  the  back  of  the 
scene] 

SIMEON  [To  the  others]  Did  you  hear?  We  are  to 
bring  gifts ! 

DAN.    Who  feasted,  or  made  merry  for  us? 
ISSACHAR.     Or  who  brought  us  gifts? 
GAD.     This  Joseph  is  as  a  nettle  against  our  skin. 
NAPHTALI.    As  a  viper  in  the  young  grass. 
ZEBULUN.     Let  us  take  counsel  against  him. 
ASHER.    Ay;  but  let  not  Reuben  hear  us. 

[With  an  obeisance  to  JACOB  they  all  go  out.  The 
beasts  are  led  off.  The  SLAVES  follow.  The 
WOMEN  and  CHILDREN  go  up  to  watch  them  off. 
JACOB,  RACHEL  and  JOSEPH  are  alone] 

JACOB.     Joseph 

JOSEPH.    Ay,  father. 

15 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

JACOB.  Go,  I  pray  thee.  Follow  thy  brothers.  See 
whether  it  be  well  with  them  and  with  the  flocks,  and 
bring  me  word  again. 

RACHEL  [Anxiously]  My  lord,  I  am  afraid  for  my 
son;  for  the  faces  of  his  brothers  are  not  towards  him. 

JACOB.  Reuben  is  with  them;  no  harm  will  come  to 
the  lad.  Let  him  go. 

RACHEL  [Embracing  JOSEPH]  Cling  to  Reuben. 
God  be  with  thee,  Joseph. 

[JOSEPH  takes  his  shepherd's  crook,  which  was 
leaning  against  a  tree,  and  exit.  RACHEL  stands 
looking  after  him] 

THE  SCENE  CHANGES. 


16 


SCENE  II 

THE 

WELLS   OF   DOTHAN 

PERSONS 

Reuben 

Asher 

Simeon 

Jssachar 

Levi 

Zebulun 

Judah 

Joseph 

Dan 

Ani      ) 

h 

Naphtali 

Heru  ) 

Gad 

Zuleika 

Egyptians 


Slaves   of    the   Israelites — Slaves    of   the   Egyptians — 
Egyptian   Warriors,   Camel  Drivers,  etc. 

SCENE  2— The  Wells  of  Dothan 

An  oasis.  It  is  a  deliciously  shaded  grove  in  the  heart 
of  the  desert.  Between  the  stems  of  the  trees  and 
through  one  or  two  wider  openings  the  desert  is  seen 
baking  in  the  afternoon  sun.  Towards  the  right  of  the 
stage,  but  also  towards  the  rear,  is  a  shallow  pool  of 

17 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

water,  surrounded  by  aquatic  plants.  The  vegetation 
on  the  stage  is  luxuriant,  excepting  near  the  centre, 
where  there  is,  as  it  were,  a  blighted  spot.  There  are 
indications  of  a  deep  hole,  and  the  plants  around  it  are 
dried  up,  withered  and  broken. 

Tinkling  of  small  bells  such  as  are  hung  around  the 
necks  of  beasts  of  burden  is  heard  off  R.,  and  presently 
enter  ASHER,  in  advance  of  DAN,  NAPHTALI,  GAD,  ISSA- 
CHAR  and  ZEBULUN.  Behind  them  are  the  asses,  as  we 
saw  them  start  in  the  previous  scene.  But  the  SLAVES 
keep  them  half  out  of  sight  under  the  palms  on  the 
right.  The  SLAVES  fetch  water  from  the  pool  in  shallow 
vessels,  and  give  the  animals  to  drink. 

ASHER.  These  are  the  wells  of  Dothan;  and  hither  I 
bade  the  runner  lead  his  lords. 

NAPHTALI.    A  fair  garden  in  a  waste  land. 

DAN.    Where  lag  our  elders? 

GAD.  With  Reuben.  The  true  sons  of  Jacob,  they 
call  themselves,  and  cling  together. 

NAPHTALI  [Examining  the  hole  in  the  centre]  This 
well  is  dry. 

ASHER  [Pointing  to  the  pool]  But  this  is  full  of 
sweet  water. 

NAPHTALI    [With   horror]      Look!   look,  how  smooth 

the  sides  are!     I  scarce  see  the  bottom.     Yet — ay! 

creeping  things,  with  eyes  gleaming,  shine  in  the 
darkness. 

GAD    [Who    has    joined    him]       Poisonous    serpents, 

lizards     and     toads — and     the     oozing     walls Ugh ! 

Whoso  slipped  into  that  would  never  crawl  out. 

ASHER  [Looking  off  R.]  Here  come  the  proud 
brothers. 

ISSACHAR.     Is  Joseph  with  them? 
18 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

NAPHTAH  [Bitterly]  Not  he.  Father  Jacob  is 
fondling  him. 

DAN.  What  gift  hast  thou  ready  for  him,  against 
to-night  ? 

GAD.     I? — A  stone  for  his  grave. 

[Enter  REUBEN,  SIMEON,  LEVI  and  JUDAH] 

GAD.     Have  ye  not  brought  our  dear  Joseph? 

SIMEON.  Now,  may  thy  tongue  rot!  The  name  hath 
spoiled  the  joy  of  the  day. 

GAD  [Looking  off  R.]  Ho!  What  would'st  thou  say 
if  he  were  here? 

SIMEON  [Furious]      Say — !     I  would  do! 

GAD.     Make  ready  to  do,  then;  for  hither  he  cometh. 

SIMEON.    The  jester  Gad!    As  if  he  dared  come. 

GAD.  Look!  Yonder  the  speck  in  the  desert.  Seest 
thou  not  the  glorious  coat?  Azure  for  wisdom,  green 
for  prayer,  white  for  purity,  and  scarlet  for 
courage. 

SIMEON.  He  needeth  courage!  'Tis  he  indeed!  He 
is  sent  to  spy  upon  us.  [Calling]  Levi!  Judah  ! — 

GAD  [Quieting  him]      Peace!     What  wilt  thou  do? 

SIMEON.  We  shall  know  no  peace  till  Joseph  be  at 
peace.  We  must  take  counsel 

GAD   [Slyly]     With  Reuben? 

SIMEON.  Ah! — the  marplot! — [A  sudden  thought 
strikes  him]  Which  way  are  the  strangers  to  come? 

GAD  [Pointing  off  R.  back]     From  yonder. 

SIMEON    [Calling]      Ho!     Reuben! 

REUBEN.     Ay,  brother? 

SIMEON.     'Twere  well  to  do  the  strangers  honour. 

REUBEN.     How  can  we  honour  them  ere  they  come? 

SIMEON.  Take  the  slaves  —  a  great  retinue  —  and 
go  forth,  thou,  Jacob's  eldest-born  —  to  meet  them. 

19 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

REUBEN  [Gravely]  Hast  thou  aught  hidden  in  thy 
mind,  Simeon — to  Joseph's  hurt? 

SIMEON.  Is  Joseph  here?  Is  he  coming?  Can  I 
think  of  nought  but  Joseph  ?  I  spake  for  our  advantage. 
Go,  or  stay.  'Tis  all  one  to  me. 

REUBEN  [Calling  the  Slaves]  Ho!  there!  Come! — 
Yet  my  heart  is  heavy.  Well — !  Which  way  are  these 
wanderers  coming? 

SIMEON  [Pointing  off  L.]     Yonder. 

ASHER.     Nay 

[GAD  plucks  his  gown  and  motions  him  to  silence] 

REUBEN.    I  will  go.     Should  the  lad  Joseph  come 

SIMEON    [Leading  him  off  L.]      Vex  not  thyself  for 

the  lad 

REUBEN.      Yonder,  you  say?      If   I    meet  them  not 

soon,  I  shall  return  in  haste.     Farewell. 

[Exit  with  all  the  Slaves] 

SIMEON  [Hurriedly]  Now!  let  us  take  counsel 
quickly. 

LEVI.     What  is  toward? 

SIMEON   [Pointing  R.]      Look,  who  cometh. 

LEVI.    Where?     I  see  nought. 

SIMEON.  Look!  Look  well!  Dost  thou  see  him, 
Judah? 

JUDAH.     Ay — a  moving  speck  on  the  sand 

ISSACHAR.  Nay,  by  the  swing  of  him,  if  I  knew  not 
'twere  impossible,  I  should  say 

ASHER.    By  the  grave  of  Isaac !    'Tis  Joseph  himself ! 

ALL  [With  fury]     Joseph! 

LEVI.     But  why  should  he  come? 

SIMEON.     He  is  sent  as  a  spy. 

LEVI.     Were  I  sure  of  that ! 

20 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

ISSACHAR.  To  lord  it  over  us;  to  carry  tales  of  every 
word  we  speak  is  he  sent. 

SIMEON.  Ay!  and  to  take  his  share  of  the  barter. 
Ours  the  heat  and  the  toil,  and  his  the  reward! 

ZEBULUN.     Are  we  never  to  be  rid  of  the  dreamer? 

SIMEON   [Darkly]      Never — unless 

ALL.     Unless  what?     Speak! 

SIMEON.  What  is  not  done  for  us,  we  must  do  for 
ourselves. 

LEVI  [With  horror]     Simeon! 

SIMEON.  What  else?  How  long  will  ye  suffer  in- 
iquity? Come,  now,  therefore,  and  let  us  slay  him. 

JUDAH.  I  will  have  no  bloodshed.  The  curse  of  Cain 
would  be  upon  us. 

SIMEON.  Why,  look,  now,  look !  [Pointing  to  the  dry 
well]  This  pit  is  deep,  and  there  are  evil  things  within 
it.  The  sides  are  smooth,  and  we  have  no  rope.  If  he 
fell  in,  by  mischance — he  could  not  crawl  out,  nor  could 
we  have  him  out ;  and  ere  we  fetched  help,  the — things — 
in  its  depth  would  have  made  help  of  no  avail. 

JUDAH.     Ay — thus  we  lay  no  hand  upon  him. 

ISSACHAR.  But  what  shall  we  say  to  Jacob,  our 
father  ? 

SIMEON.  We  will  say,  some  evil  beast  hath  devoured 
him. 

GAD  [Laughing]  And  we  will  see  what  becomes  of  his 
dreams ! 

ASHER.     Yet — there  is  Reuben. 

DAN.     Reuben  is  far  by  this  time. 

SIMEON.     Seest  thou  now  why  I  sent  him  away? 

JOSEPH'S  VOICE  [Without,  R.  front]  Reuben,  my 
brother ! 

SIMEON   [Mockingly]     Ay!     Call  upon  Reuben! 

JOSEPH'S  VOICE.     Reuben!     Reuben! 
21 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

GAD  [Answering]     Ho!     Dreamer! 

[Enter  JOSEPH  R.  front.  In  his  right  hand  is  the 
shepherd's  crook;  in  his  left  arm  he  carries  a 
young  lamb] 

JOSEPH.  Happy  the  hour  wherein  I  find  you.  Give 
me  to  drink. 

SIMEON.    We  have  no  water  to  spare. 

JOSEPH.  Nay,  not  for  me,  but  [Indicating  the  lamb] 
for  this  poor  orphan  here. 

JUDAH.  Yonder  are  the  shepherds,  let  it  seek  its 
mother. 

JOSEPH  [Setting  the  lamb  down  L.]  Run,  then, 
innocent. 

ZEBULUN.     Why  art  thou  come? 

JOSEPH.  Our  father  sent  me.  I  was  to  see  whether 
all  was  well  with  you,  and  with  the  flocks. 

GAD.    All  is  well.     Go  thy  ways,  homeward. 

JOSEPH  [Laughing]  Nay !  I  am  anhungered  and 
athirst ! 

SIMEON.  We  need  thee  not.  As  a  spy  art  thou  come 
hither. 

JOSEPH.  What  has  thou  done,  Simeon,  that  thou  so 
dreadest  a  spy? 

SIMEON.  I  have  work  to  do.  I'll  have  no  boys  watch- 
ing me. 

JOSEPH.  I'll  not  watch  thee.  I  am  for  food  and 
sleep. 

DAN.  Ay;  to  dream  dreams  of  our  downthrow,  and 
thine  uplifting. 

JOSEPH  [Whimsically]  If  I  wake  I  am  guilty,  and 
I  am  guilty  if  I  sleep ! — Heigh-ho !  I  would  Reuben 
were  here. 

NAPHTALI.     Reuben  went  to  meet  the  wayfarers. 
22 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

SIMEON.      It  is  high  time  we  spread  out  our  wares. 
JUDAH.      Reuben  having  taken   the    slaves,   we   must 
unload  the  bales  ourselves.     To  work ! 

[The  brothers  fetch  the  bales,  etc.,  from  where  they 
are  lying  and  spread  the  goods  under  the  trees. 
SIMEON,  places  his  half  out  of  sight] 

ASHER.  Behold  my  rich  woven-stuffs  of  camel- 
hair. 

JUDAH.  My  honey  from  Lebanon,  in  the  coolest 
shade. 

NAPHTALI.  My  skins  of  lions  and  tigers;  my  own 
arrows  laid  them  low. 

DAN.  Glittering  gems!  Ho!  the  lady's  eyes  shall 
glitter  as  brightly  when  she  beholdeth  them. 

LEVI.     Oil,  fresh  from  the  olives  of  Hermon. 

ISSACHAR.     Milk  and  cheeses  from  my  ewes. 

ZEBULUN.  I  have  nought  but  melons  [Slices  one  in 
two]  But  look  at  that  and  be  athirst! 

JOSEPH.  Surely,  you  will  give  the  weary  strangers 
the  milk  and  the  melons  without  price.  Our  father, 
Jacob 

SIMEON  [Eagerly]     Said  I  not  he  came  as  a  spy? 

JUDAH.  But  thou,  Simeon,  wherefore  layest  thou  thy 
store  where  the  strangers  may  not  see  it? 

SIMEON  [Laughing]  Ho!  Wilt  thou  teach  me  to 
barter?  I  tell  thee,  these  will  be  first  seen.  And  when 
the  strangers  say,  what  are  these?  I  shall  answer, 
These  be  gifts  for  my  sweet  brother,  Joseph. 

JOSEPH  [Laughing]  Why,  then,  I'll  take  my  gifts 
now ;  and  thank  thee ! 

SIMEON.    Fool!    Thinkest  thou  I  mean  what  I  say? 

JOSEPH.  Can  a  man  say  one  thing,  and  mean 
another  ? 

23 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

SIMEON  [To  the  others]  Then  the  stranger  will  bid 
and  bid,  until  he  hath  bidden — what  they  are  worth. 

JOSEPH.      Simeon,  thou  art  jesting. 

SIMEON.     I  seek  not  thy  counsel,  dreamer ! 

JOSEPH.     Thou  wilt  not  do  this  evil  thing! 

SIMEON.     Will  I  not?     Stand  by,  and  watch. 

JOSEPH   [Hotly]      I  will  not  stand  by  silently. 

SIMEON  [Edging  him  towards  the  pit]  What  wilt 
thou  do,  dreamer,  what  will  thou  do? 

JOSEPH.  I  will  cry  aloud:  These  wares  he  got  for 
a  drink  of  water ! 

SIMEON.    Ay,  and  what  else?    What  else? 

JOSEPH.  And  if  that  will  not  serve,  our  father  Jacob 
shall  hear  of  it. 

SIMEON.    Ay?    Wilt  thou  report  of  me? 

THE  OTHERS  [Closing  in  on  JOSEPH,  so  that  he  is 
forced  towards  the  well]  And  of  me?  And  of  me? 

JOSEPH.     Reuben !     Reuben ! 

[Cries]   Out  on  the  dreamer!     Death!     Death! 

JOSEPH.     Reuben ! 

SIMEON.      Anon  thou   wast  thirsty — go!    seek  water! 

JOSEPH.    Reu ! 

[He  falls  backward  into  the  pit.     A   long  pause  of 
horror] 

JUDAH.     Simeon — what  hast  thou  done? 

SIMEON.     Sent  him  where  he  cannot  tell  tales. 

LEVI.    Is  the  boy — dead? 

DAN.     I  dare  not  look ! 

ISSACHAR.     Nor  I. 

SIMEON.  I  am  not  so  faint-hearted.  [He  gazes  into 
the  pit]  I  cannot  see  him. 

JUDAH  [Listening]  Hark — No  sound. — Alas !  the 
boy  is  dead! 

24 


Courtesy  of  LiebUr  and  Company,  N.  Y. 

THE  BROTHERS  ATTACKING  JOSEPH 

Act  I — Scene  II 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

[Now  the  sound  of  barbaric  music  is  heard  from  the 
R.  back.  It  increases  rapidly.  Presently  a  gor- 
geous caravan  heaves  in  sight.  First  a  runner  on 
foot,  showing  the  way;  then  slaves  bearing 
heavy  burdens,  tents,  etc.  Then  warriors 
mounted  on  horses  or  camels,  and  armed  to  the 
teeth.  [Spears,  swords,  bows  and  arrows,  etc.] 
Then  camels  with  women  closely  veiled;  then 
another  camel  magnificently  caparisoned,  with  a 
curtained  basourah  on  its  back,  in  which  the  fig- 
ure of  a  woman  is  dimly  perceptible.  Lastly,  more 
mounted  and  unmounted  warriors.  The  caravan 
halts,  and  all  but  the  women  dismount;  but  all 
except  the  captain  of  the  caravan  remain  at  the 
back  of  the  stage.  The  camel  bearing  the 
basourah  stands  near  the  dried  well] 

LEVI.  Trumpets  and  shawms !  It  is  the  strange 
woman  with  her  train. 

GAD.  If  they  see  your  woful  countenances,  they'll 
think  the  plague  is  amongst  us. 

JUDAH.  I  will  not  meet  them  with  my  heart  so 
heavy. 

LEVI.  What  is  done  is  done.  [To  the  captain  of  the 
caravan — HERU — who  has  dismounted  and  advances]  O 
strangers,  are  ye  come  in  peace? 

HERU.  We  are  come  in  peace.  Do  ye  greet  us  peace- 
fully? 

LEVI.     Peacefully  we  greet  you. 

HERU.  Here  will  we  abide,  then,  till  the  sun  bend 
westward,  and  water  our  cattle. 

SIMEON  [Stepping  forward,  cringingly]  Alas,  the 
water  faileth.  Lo,  there  is  barely  enough  for  our  own 
beasts. 

25 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

HERU  [Angrily]  Are  not  the  wells  free  to  all  way- 
farers ? 

SIMEON  [Humbly]  My  lord,  we  be  sons  of  a  poor 
man.  We  have  won  these  wells  with  much  toil  and 
battle.  The  wells  are  not  free. 

HERU.     Must  we  do  battle  for  the  wells? 

[The  warriors  in  the  caravan  are  at  attention,  and 
make  ready  their  weapons] 

HERU  {Haughtily]     Let  us  drink,  lest  we  slay  you. 

[The  brothers  are  furious.  SIMEON  appeases  them 
with  a  movement  of  his  hand.  He  continues, 
more  humbly  than  ever,  but  with  a  veiled  threat] 

HERU.  I  am  Heru-Netch-Tef,  the  servant  of  Poti- 
phar,  the  Egyptian. 

SIMEON.  Were  my  lord  Pharaoh  himself,  and  slew 
us,  or  stole  our  water,  my  lord  should  surely  perish. 

ANI  [An  Egyptian,  to  HERU]  Better  speak  the 
rogue  softly,  my  lord.  These  tribesmen  are  banded 
together.  The  wilderness  hath  many  eyes,  and  what  is 
done  here  is  known  yonder,  the  gods  only  wot  how. 
Remember,  we  are  the  guardians  of  a  priceless  charge. 

HERU  [To  SIMEON]  Thou — what  price  dost  thou  set 
on  the  water? 

SIMEON.  My  lord  shall  drink,  and  let  drink,  for  the 
chain  that  hangs  about  his  neck. 

HERU.  Take  it,  rogue  [To  the  slaves]  Ho!  Water 
the  camels. 

[The  slaves  busy  themselves  carrying  water  in 
shallow  vessels  to  the  beasts.  The  warriors  dis- 
mount; wash  in  vessels  brought  by  the  slaves, 
and  stretch  themselves  out  in  the  shade.  All  at 
the  back  of  the  stage] 
26 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

SIMEON  [Seeing  a  slave  going  towards  the  dry  well] 
[Hastily]  Not  this,  my  lord!  This  is  dried  up,  and 
venomous  serpents  swarm  in  it. 

HERU.  The  rogue  still  hath  shreds  of  honesty. 
[Pointing  to  the  brothers]  Who  are  these? 

SIMEON.  We  are  brethren,  my  lord:  sons  of  one 
father.  This  morning  we  were  eleven;  but  now  one  is 
not,  and  our  hearts  are  heavy. 

HERU.    All  men  are  mortal — save  Pharaoh. 

LEVI.     Will  not  my  lord  sit  in  the  shade? 

JUDAH.  My  lord's  wife,  and  her  handmaidens  must 
be  weary 

HERU.  Not  my  wife.  We  are  bringing  the  lady 
Zuleika  to  be  wife  to  Pharaoh's  general,  the  Lord 
Potiphar. 

JUDAH.  The  lady  Zuleika — I  have  heard  strange 
tales  of  her  beauty — and  her  wisdom. 

HERU.  As  to  her  beauty,  it  is  past  telling.  As  to  her 
wisdom,  it  is  past  comprehension. 

JUDAH.     May  we  not  set  eyes  on  her? 

HERU   [Threateningly]     On  thy  life! 

DAN  [Pointing  to  the  wares  set  out]  Yet  she  would 
have  liked  to  see  these. 

SIMEON  [Laughing]  Brother,  thou  speakest  almost 
as  if  these  were  for  sale. 

HERU.    Why  else  are  they  here? 

SIMEON.  These  are  the  gifts  we  meant  for  our 
brother,  Joseph — but  Joseph  is  dead,  and  we  rend  our 
garments. 

HERU  [Examining  the  wares]  Rich  gifts.  Joseph 
must  have  been  very  dear  to  you. 

SIMEON.     Alas!     Who  shall  tell  how  we  loved  him? 

ANI  [To  HERU]  There  be  things  here  to  gladden 
Zuleika,  my  lord;  and  others  fit  for  Pharaoh's  treasury. 

27 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

HERU  [To  SIMEON]  Come  now,  shall  we  not  barter? 
Here  is  gold 

SIMEON.  My  lord  is  merry.  Because  we  are  very 
poor  my  lord  would  tempt  us 

HERU.     Here,  then!     Double. 

LEVI   [Anxiously — to  SIMEON]      Simeon — ! 

SIMEON  [Angrily]  Let  me  be! — Ho,  brothers! 
Cover  these  wares  from  my  lord's  sight,  lest  he  do  us  a 
wrong. 

[The  brothers  reluctantly  do  so] 

HERU.     Here,  then.  Thrice  the  first  offer. 

SIMEON.  It  is  easy  to  see  my  lord  is  a  stranger.  [He 
catches  sight  of  ZULEIKA,  who  has  moved  the  curtain  of 
her  basourah  a  very  little  and  is  peeping  out]  These 
spices  alone — [He  takes  a  handful  and  throws  it  into 
the  air]  mark  how  they  scent  the  air ! — This  cloth  of 
gold — see  how  it  glitters ! — Nay,  one  of  these  gems — 
how  many  lives  were  lost  to  win  it! — is  worth  twice 
what  my  lord  offers  for  all.  And  I  say  nought  of  our 
dear  brother's  memory.  Cover  them !  Cover  them 
quickly. 

HERU  [Furious]  Now,  a  plague  be  upon  you  all. 
Keep  your  trumpery! 

[He  turns  away] 

LEVI.    Lost !    Lost ! 

SIMEON    [Watching  the  basourah]      Silence! 

ZULEIKA'S  VOICE.     Heru-Netch-Tef ! 

HERU  [With  hands  uplifted;  the  attitude  of  worship] 
Thy  slave  hears. 

ZULEIKA'S  VOICE.  Buy  all  their  wares  at  their  own 
price. 

[Applause] 

28 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

[HERU  turns  to  Simeon] 

HERU.     Thou — come  apart  with  me,  and  let  us  reason. 
SIMEON.     Alas !  my  lord  will  get  the  advantage.     In 
my  lord's  hands  I  am  but  an  innocent  babe. 
HERU.     The  gods  shield  me  from  many  such! 

[They  move  out  of  sight,  bargaining] 
[Slaves  pack  up  the  wares] 

JOSEPH'S  VOICE    [From   the  pit  in  a  sort   of   chant] 

The  Lord  my  God;  the  Almighty  God, 

He  shall  lift  me  out  of  the  mire. 
JUDAH   [Starting]     What  is  that? 
DAN.     It  is  Joseph!     He  is  alive! 
ISSACHAR.     If  the  strangers  hear  him — ! 
JOSEPH'S  VOICE — 

They  digged  a  pit  for  me  and  cast  me  in, 

But  I  shall  arise  and  confound  them, 

For  my  God  is  the  only  God, 

The  gods  of  the  strangers  are  stocks  and  stones: 

But  my  God  is  Almighty! 

[The  curtains  of  the  basourah  are  violently  agitated] 

ZULEIKA'S  VOICE  [Angrily]  Who  mocketh  at  my 
gods  ?  Who  singeth  of  a  God  that  is  greater  than  mine  ? 

ANI  [Who  has  come  to  the  dried  well  and  is  peering 
into  it]  There  is  one  in  the  well — 

ZULEIKA'S   VOICE.     Have   him    forth! 

ANI.     He  standeth  among  serpents — 

ZULEIKA'S  VOICE  [As  if  fascinated]  He  standeth 
among  serpents? — Have  him  forth  quickly! 

[Under  the  direction  of  ANI  two  slaves  bring  ropes 
which  they  lower  into  the  well.  Re-enter 
SIMEON  and  HERU] 

29 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

SIMEON  [Dolefully]  I  said  I  was  an  innocent 
babe—! 

HERU.     Say  thou  hast  made  me  a  free  gift! 

SIMEON.  'Twere  all  but  the  truth.  [He  sees  the 
slaves  at  the  well  and  hurries  to  the  brethren]  What 
now? 

DAN   [Indicating  the  well]     Look!     Joseph  is  alive! 

SIMEON  [Furious]     Hath  he  seven  lives? 

GAD.     Watch,  Simeon ! 

SIMEON  [To  GAD  and  ASHER;  handing  them  bags  of 
money]  Ye — bear  these  to  Shechem!  Run  swiftly! 
Away! 

[GAD  and  ASHER  run  off  R.  front  with  bags] 

HERU  [Who  has  been  to  the  well,  turns  to  SIMEON  as 
JOSEPH  is  brought  to  the  edge]  Thou,  what  is 
this? 

SIMEON.  Brethren,  rejoice!  This  is  our  brother, 
whom  we  mourned  as  dead ! — O  Joseph,  is  all  truly  well 
with  thee? 

JOSEPH.  Away,  false  Simeon,  that  would'st  have 
slain  me ! 

SIMEON  [To  HERU]  Hearken  not  unto  him!  He  is 
a  dreamer! 

HERU.     Silence!     [To  JOSEPH]     Thou,  tell  thy  tale. 

JOSEPH.  Nay !  Shall  I  tell  tales  against  the  sons  of 
my  father? 

ZULEIKA'S  VOICE.     Have  ye  drawn  him  forth? 

HERU.     Ay,  lady. 

ZULEIKA'S  VOICE.  He  mocketh  at  my  gods.  Strip 
him  and  slay  him! 

HERU.  Well  said !  At  least  we  shall  have  sport  for 
our  money. 

JUDAH   [Angrily]     Ye  cannot  slay  the  lad! 
30 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

[At  a  sign  from  HERU,  warriors  form  a  line  holding 
the  BROTHERS  back] 

HERU  [To  JUDAH]  Hold  thy  peace!  Ho,  slaves, 
strip  him! 

[Slaves  tear  off  the  coat  of  many  colours.     JOSEPH 
stands  as  me  first  saw  him,  clad  in  skins] 

JOSEPH  [Calmly]     Ye  cannot  slay  me. 

HERU.  Can  we  not?  [To  a  slave]  Show  him  the 
knife. 

JOSEPH.  God  will  deliver  me,  for  He  is  not  a  lying 
God  as  yours  are 

ZULEIKA'S  VOICE.  Slay  him! — I  will  wash  my 
hands  in  his  blood. 

HERU   [To  slave]     Make  ready. 

[The  slave  sharpens  the  knife] 

JUDAH.     See  how  he  faces  them! 

LEVI  [Veiling  his  face]      I  cannot  look  upon  this. 

ZULEIKA'S    VOICE.     Wait! — I    would    see! 

[She  opens  the  curtains  of  the   basourah  and  ap- 
pears in  all  her  loveliness] 

JUDAH  [Awed;  pointing  to  her]     Look!     Look! 

ZULEIKA.  Now!  [The  slave  raises  the  knife  to 
plunge  it  into  JOSEPH'S  throat.  JOSEPH'S  eyes  are  turned 
on  ZULEIKA.  She  cries]  Stop! 

[HERU  catches  the  slave's  arm  just'  in  time] 

ZULEIKA  [To  JOSEPH]     What  is  thy  name? 

JOSEPH.     Joseph. 

ZULEIKA  [Very  musically,  drawing  out  the  syllables] 
Joh-seph.  [To  HERU]  Lo!  I  sought  a  gift  to  bring 
to  my  lord  Potiphar,  and  I  found  nought.  Here  is  what 

31 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

I  sought.  Thou,  buy  this  lad  of  his  brothers,  and  I 
will  give  him  to  my  lord  to  be  his  slave. 

JOSEPH.     I  will  be  no  man's  slave ! 

ZULEIKA  [Very  tenderly}  Hush! — Thou  shalt  be  my 
lord's  slave — and  mine. 

[She  disappears   behind  the  curtains,  which   close 
over  her] 

JUDAH  [Hotly]  The  lad  is  restored  to  life.  It  is 
God's  Hand.  We  cannot  sell  him. 

SIMEON.     What!     Shall  he  come  home  to  tell  Jacob? 

LEVI.     Simeon  saith  well! 

ALL.     Sell  him!     Sell  him! 

HERU.  He  is  not  yours  to  sell,  since  ye  would  have 
slain  him.  [Contemptuously]  Yet  here  be  twenty 
pieces  of  silver — [He  tosses  a  bag  at  Simeon's  feet] 
lest  ye  die  of  grief! 

SIMEON  [Picking  up  the  bag]  Twenty  pieces! — a 
poor  price  for  a  beloved  brother. 

HERU.     Hah!      [To  slaves]      Put  his  coat  upon  him. 

SIMEON  [Quickly  putting  his  foot  on  the  coat]  Nay, 
nay,  my  lord;  leave  us  the  coat  for  a  reminder. 

HERU  [To  slaves]     Let  the  rag  lie.    Lead  on! 

[All  make  ready  to  start] 

[SIMEON  hurriedly  takes  the  coat  and  goes  out  L. 
with  it] 

JOSEPH  [To  Jiis  brothers]  Ye  have  sold  me  into 
bondage  for  twenty  pieces  of  silver,  but  I  tell  you  the 
day  is  at  hand  when  ye  shall  come  on  your  knees  asking 
mercy. 

LEVI  [Furious]     The  dreamer!     Away  with  him! 

JOSEPH.  Ye  shall  come  on  your  knees  asking  mercy ! 
and  I  shall  deliver  you  and  set  you  in  high  places. 

32 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

[A  roar  of  fury  from  the  brothers.  JOSEPH  is 
surrounded  by  the  Egyptians  and  led  off.  The 
brothers  are  left  alone] 

[SIMEON  re-enters  with  the  coat,  now  bloodstained] 

JUDAH.  Now,  Simeon,  what  tale  shall  we  tell  our 
father? 

SIMEON.  None.  Reuben  shall  tell  the  tale,  and  he 
shall  tell  what  he  thinks  true.  [He  displays  JOSEPH'S 
coat;  it  is  rent,  and  dabbled  in  blood]  Lo,  Joseph's 
coat !  Let  it  lie  here  for  Reuben  to  find.  Shall  he  know 
I  rent  it,  or  that  the  blood  is  the  blood  of  the  lamb 
Joseph  brought — which  I  have  slain? 

LEVI.     Are  we  to  say  nought,  then? 

SIMEON.  We  know  nought.  We  never  saw  Joseph. 
Mark  that  well — we  never  saw  him.  Let  Reuben  tell 
his  own  tale. 

ISSACHAR.     How,  then,  did  Joseph  die? 

SIMEON.    Are  there  no  lions  in  Dothan? 

[As  they  move  off  the  scene  changes] 


33 


SCENE    III 
JACOB'S    TENT 

PERSONS 
Jacob  Asher 

Reuben  Issachar 

Simeon  Zebulun 

Levi  Benjamin 

Judah  A  Camel  Driver 

Dan  Rachel 

Naphtali  Bilhah 

Gad  Zilpah 

A  Water  Bearer 
Minstrels,  Singers  and  Dancers,  Slaves,  etc. 

SCENE  3 — The  Interior  of  Jacob's  Tent  in  the  Valley 
of  Shechem 

A  vast  vague  space.     At  the  back  are  curtains  which 
can  be  drawn  aside.     In  front  a  pile  of  rough  cushions 

34 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

forms  a  sort  of  throne.  Boughs  of  palms  decorate  the 
tent.  Oil  lamps  hang  from  the  roof,  and  torches  are 
fixed  to  the  poles  of  the  tent.  Jars  stand  about,  from 
which  presently  SLAVES  will  pour  wine  into  shallow  cups 
for  the  guests.  Great  heaps  of  fruit — melons,  grapes, 
pomegranates — are  piled  here  and  there  for  the  guests 
to  help  themselves  to.  RACHEL,  BILHAH  and  ZILPAH 
are  busy  putting  the  final  touches  to  the  decorations  with 
the  help  of  other  HANDMAIDENS. 

RACHEL.  Now  the  feast  is  ready. 

BILHAH.  My  lord  Jacob  will  be  here  anon. 

ZILPAH.  Also  his  sons  will  come  back  from  their 
sheepfolds. 

RACHEL.  I  have  summoned  the  minstrels  and  dancers. 

BILHAH.  The  sun  set  angrily. 

ZILPAH.  Ho !    Bilhah  always  f oreseeth  evil ! 

RACHEL.  There  shall  be  no  evil  to-night,  but  mirth 
and  music. 

[Enter  JACOB  L.,  attended] 

JACOB.     God's  peace  rest  upon  us. 
THE  WOMEN.     And  upon  my  lord. 
JACOB.     Is  there  news  of  the  brothers? 
RACHEL.     Not  yet,  my  lord. 
JACOB.     Hath  not  Joseph  come  back? 
RACHEL.     I  have  not  seen  him. 

[Enter  NAPHTALI  C.,  attended] 

NAPHTALI.     Thy  blessing,  father. 
JACOB.     How  fare  thy  brothers? 
NAPHTALI.     All  is  well  with  them. 
JACOB.     And  Joseph? 

NAPHTALI.    Here  is  a  gift  I  bring  for  him. 
[Enter  JUDAH,  LEVI  and  GAD,  attended,  C.] 
35 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

JUDAH.     Father,  thy  blessing! 

JACOB.     Where  is  Joseph? 

JUDAH.     Where  should  he  be,  but  safe  in  thy  keeping? 

JACOB.  I  sent  him  to  see  whether  all  was  well  with 
you. 

JUDAH.     All  is  well  with  us,  and  with  the  flocks. 

LEVI.  Simeon  bringeth  great  treasure  he  won  from 
the  strangers. 

JACOB.     But  Joseph?    Where  is  Joseph? 

GAD.    We  bring  gifts  for  the  lad. 

[Enter  DAN,  ISSACHAR  and  ZEBULUN,  attended] 

DAN.     Bless  us,  O  father,  at  the  day's  end. 

JACOB.    Why  came  ye  not  with  the  others? 

DAN.  We  stayed  to  see  the  flocks  folded;  for  the 
heavens  are  overcast,  and  a  storm  cometh  up  from  the 
north. 

BILHAH.  I  saw  the  clouds  rising,  and  I  feared  the 
storm. 

JACOB.  But  why  tarrieth  Joseph? — And  Reuben? — 
where  is  my  first-born? 

LEVI.     Perchance  they  are  together. 

RACHEL.     Ay!  for  I  bade  Joseph  cling  to  Reuben. 

JACOB.    Ah !  well-remembered !    My  heart  grew  heavy ! 

[Enter  SIMEON,  alone,  C.] 

SIMEON.     Bless  me,  O  Israel! 

JACOB  [Rises]  The  wily  Simeon!  How  fared  the 
day? 

SIMEON.  Oh,  well!  Oh,  marvellous  well!  Gad  and 
Asher  bent  under  the  burden  of  riches  I  won  for  us. 

JACOB.    And  Joseph?     Where  is  he? 

SIMEON.      I   was   about  to    ask  thee;   for   I   bring  a 

gift 

36 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

RACHEL  [Who  has  been  watching  him  keenly]  Son 
of  Leah.,  where  is  my  child? 

SIMEON.  Thou  gavest  him  into  Reuben's  charge;  ask 
Reuben. 

[Meanwhile  the  stage  has  gradually  filled  with  men 
and  maidens,  who  stand  shyly  and  awkwardly 
around  the  walls] 

LEVI.  Behold,  father,  the  maids  and  men  grow  im- 
patient. 

JACOB.     Can  we  begin  without  Reuben  and  Joseph? 

LEVI.     They  will  be  here  anon. 

JACOB.     Begin,  then;  but  I  am  troubled. 

[He  takes  his  place  on  the  throne.  RACHEL  sits  by 
his  side,  on  his  right.  BILHAH  and  ZILPAH  stand 
behind  him] 

[The  minstrels  [harp,  shawm,  psaltery,  flutes, 
drum]  group  themselves  on  JACOB'S  right,  near 
the  footlights] 

ISSACHAR.  Ho !  I  am  the  master  of  the  revels ! 
Maids  and  men !  Israel,  the  Soldier  of  God,  taketh  the 
high-seat.  Sound,  shawms  and  timbrels !  Sound,  songs 
of  rejoicing!  The  dance!  The  dance! 

[The  centre  of  the  stage  is  cleared.  While  the 
dance  is  in  progress,  SLAVES  hand  round  food 
and  drink  to  JACOB  and  his  group,  to  the  broth- 
ers, who  stand  together  on  the  opposite  side  of 
the  stage,  and  to  the  non-dancers.  The  non- 
dancers,  not  otherwise  occupied,  clap  their  hands 
rhythmically  to  the  dance] 

[First,    men   unwind   from    the   crowd    where    they 
appear  to   have    been  standing  in   no  particular 
37 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

order,  and  dance  down,  forming  graceful  figures, 
and  singing  as  they  dance] 

ISSACHAR.     First  come  the  camel  drivers,  with  their 
song. 

MEN  [Singing  and  dancing] 

(Solo) 

Wide  and  waste  is  the  wilderness; 
But  God  is  great! — 

(Chorus) 

Ho!  press  on!  press  on! 
(Solo) 

The  night  falls;  the  moon  ariseth; 
Lo !  the  voices  of  the  desert  wake ! 

(Chorus) 

Ho !  press  on !  press  on ! 
(Solo) 

Under   the   palm-trees,   by  the  well, 

My  love  gazeth  to  greet  me; 

She  hearkeneth  for  the  bells  of  my  camels — 

(Chorus) 

Ho !  press  on !  press  on ! 

ZEBULUN.     I  hear  the  moan  of  the  wind — the  storm 
draweth  near. 

[The  men  have  danced  up  stage] 

ISSACHAR.       Now    the    water    bearers     answer     the 
men. 

[Maidens,  each  balancing  a  water-jar  on  her  head, 
file  out  of  the  crowd  and  dance  down] 
38 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     B  R  E  T  H  R  E  N 

MAIDENS  [Singing  and  dancing] — 
(Solo) 

I  have  braided  my  hair  with  threads  of  gold: 
Red  gold  in  my  ebony  tresses — 

0  wanderer  in  the  wilderness, 

(Chorus) 

Hither  to  me !  to  me ! 
(Solo) 

1  have  hung  great  gems  about  my  throat: 
Onyx  and  beryl  on  my  brown  throat — 

(Chorus) 

Oh!  hither  to  me! 
(Solo) 

The  eyes  of  my  lover  gleam  through  the  night; 
I  hear  the  bells  of  his  camels  in  haste 

(Chorus) 

Ah!  hither!  hither  to  me! 

ZEBULUN.     The  moan  of  the  wind  groweth  fiercer. 
DAN.     The  palm-trees  whistle  in  its  rage. 
ISSACHAR.     Now  the  men  and  maidens  meet  in  the 
dance  of  betrothal. 

[The  men  and  maidens  face  each  other  and  as  they 
sing  the  dance  illustrates  the  song] 

MEN.     Thou  art  mine,  beloved,  I  hold  thee! 
MAIDS.    Hold  me  fast,  lest  I  slip  from  thee! 
MEN.     My  hands  are  about  thy  neck! 
MAIDS.     I  bow  my  neck  and  am  free ! 
MEN.     I  clasp  thee  about  the  waist! 
MAIDS.    I  turn,  and  am  as  free  as  the  air ! 
39 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

MEN.     How  long  must  I  wait  for  thy  love? 

MAIDS.     As  Jacob  waited  for  Rachel ! 

[JACOB  has  watched  the  dancers  with  increasing 
excitement.  He  has  seized  RACHEL'S  hand.  He 
has  been  remembering  his  youth.  Now  he  sud- 
denly snatches  a  harp  from  the  player  nearest  to 
him,  and,  rising  to  his  full  height  and  striking 
a  great  chord,  cries  aloud] 

JACOB.    As  Jacob  waited  for  Rachel ! — 
ISSACHAR    [Stopping    the   dancers]      Peace!      Peace! 
Hear  Israel  speak! 

[Sudden  hush.  JACOB  proceeds  in  a  sort  of  in- 
spiration, accompanying  his  speech  with  chords 
on  the  harp] 

JACOB — 

For,  lo !     I  stood  by  the  well  at  mid-day, 
And  Rachel  came  thither  with  Laban's  sheep ; 
And  when  I  beheld  her,  I  loved  her. 
I  served  Laban  seven  years  for  Rachel: 
Seven  years  of  my  life  I  gave  for  Rachel: 
And  Laban  gave  me  Leah  to  wife. 
Leah   was   tender-eyed : 

But  Rachel  was  beautiful  and  well-favored, 
And    yet    another    seven    years    I    served    Laban    for 

Rachel. 

And  Rachel  was  my  wife,  and  I  loved  her. 
But  Rachel  bare  me  no  son. 

Other  sons  I  had,  but  my  beloved  was  not  their  mother. 
Then  God  remembered  Rachel 
And  she  bare  a  son  and  called  his  name  Joseph. 
And  to-night  we  are  gathered  to  do  him  honour, 
To  do  him  honour  whom  I  love  with  uttermost  love, 

40 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

For  he  is  come  to  man's  estate. 

I  made  him  a  coat  of  many  colours, 

To  be  for  a  sign  of  his  dignity: 

Red  for  courage,  and  azure  for  wisdom, 

Green  for  prayer,  and  white  for  purity. 

And  all  his  brethren  are  here  with  gifts; 

And  ye  are  here  with  your  songs  and  dances — 

But  Joseph  tarries — Joseph  is  in  the  storm — 

[He  drops  the  harp,  and  stands  with  extended  arms] 

Joseph!  Joseph!  my  beloved!    Where  art  thou? 

[With  a  hideous  rattle  of  metal  rings  the  curtains 
at  the  back  are  torn  asunder.  There  is  a  blinding 
and  prolonged  quiver  of  lightning,  and  in  it, 
fierce  and  terrible,  stands  REUBEN.  All  turn  to 
him  with  a  gasp  of  horror] 

REUBEN  [Holding  up  the  coat  of  many  colours] 
This  have  I  found;  know  now  whether  it  be  thy  son's 
coat  or  no ! 

[JACOB  reaches  for  it  with  inarticulate  cries,  and 
falls  forward  on  his  face.  There  is  a  terrible 
crash  of  thunder  and  sudden  pitch  darkness.  A 
great  wail  of  mourning  is  heard,  and  the  curtain 
falls. 


41 


ACT    II 
THE   TEMPTATION 

GENESIS  XXXIX 


PERSONS 


Potiphar 

A  Runner 

Imhotep 

Joseph 

Serseru 

Zuleika 

Ranofer 

Asenath 

Menthu 

Wakara 

Heru 

Mehtu 

Ani 

Anset 

Tehuti 

Arilennu 

Sebni 

Taherer 

Atha 

Nesta 

Tamai 
Ladies,  Nobles,  Officers,  Slaves 


ACT    II 

SCENE  1 — The  Central  Hall  in  Potiphar's  House 

One-half  of  the  back  is  the  pillared  entrance,  beyond 
which  there  is  a  distant  men  of  the  Pyramids.  In  the 
other  half  of  the  back  is  a  sliding  door  up  three  steps, 
leading  to  ZULEIKA'S  room,.  There  is  a  door  R.,  and  an- 
other L.  In  the  centre  is  a  throne-like  chair  without 
arms.  The  decorations  of  the  walls,  doors,  pillars,  etc., 
are  all  in  very  bright  colours.  There  are  several  stands 
for  incense.  It  is  sunset. 

Two  OFFICERS  of  POTIPHAR'S  household — SEBNI  and 
TEHUTI — are  discovered.  SLAVES  come  and  go,  busy  on 
household  matters. 

SEBNI  [To  the  slaves]  Hurry!  Hurry!  Our  lord 
will  be  here! 

TEHUTI.  To  judge  by  the  time  it  takes,  Sebni,  my  lord 
Potiphar  and  the  lady  Zuleika  will  be  fast  bound. 

SEBNI.  Ah,  Tehuti,  I  would  not  wed  so  near  the 
edge  of  war. 

TEHUTI.     Is  war  near? 

SEBNI.  They  say  the  savages  of  the  south  grow 
restless. 

TEHUTI.  I'd  wait  for  no  savages,  were  Zuleika  my 
bride. 

SEBNI.    Curb  thy  tongue,  lest  Joseph  hear  thee — 

TEHUTI  [Pensively]  Ay — Joseph — !  Slave,  and 
overlord ! — Some  men  are  born  fortunate — 

SEBNI   [Alarmed]     Silence! — Silence! 
45 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

TEHUTI.  If  my  bride,  being  on  a  journey,  bought  so 
fair  a  slave,  and  set  him  over  her  household — 

SEBNI.  Joseph  hath  no  eyes,  save  for  the  Lady 
Asenath. 

TEHUTI.  Ha!  The  high  priest's  daughter!  The 
Canaanite  will  singe  his  wings. 

SEBNI.     Silence ! — Joseph ! 

[Enter  JOSEPH  at  the  back.  He  is  clothed  in  the 
Egyptian  manner.  Several  SLAVES  accompany 
him] 

JOSEPH.  My  lord  and  his  wife  come  from  the  temple. 
Is  all  ready  here? 

SEBNI.     All  is  ready,  my  good  lord. 

JOSEPH.  Friend,  friend,  call  me  by  my  name;  for  I 
am  lord  Potiphar's  bondman,  as  thou  art.  [To  the 
slaves]  Throw  incense  upon  the  coals. 

[Sound  of  girls'  voices  singing  off  R.] 

TEHUTI.  I  hear  girls'  voices.  [He  looks  off  R.] 
The  lady  Zuleika's  handmaidens  draw  near. 

SEBNI.    And  with  them  the  virgin  Asenath. 

JOSEPH   [With  joy]     Asenath — ! 

TEHUTI.  Joseph — hast  thou  also  heard  rumours  of 
war? 

JOSEPH  [Thinking  of  ASENATH]  I,  friend — ? 
[Laughing]  Talk  not  of  war !  Hither  cometh  spring  on 
tripping  feet,  and  laughter,  and  peace,  and  love. 

[Enter  ASENATH,  a  radiantly  beautiful  young  girl, 
followed  by  six  EGYPTIAN  GIRLS,  namely:  MEHTU, 
ANSET,  ARILENNU,  TAHERER,  NESTA  and  TAMAI. 
They  are  all  laden  with  flowers.  They  come  in 
laughing  and  chatting  merrily.  JOSEPH  advances 
to  meet  them] 

46 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

JOSEPH.  Joy  to  this  house,  whose  threshold  your  feet 
have  crossed. 

ASENATH.  We  come  to  welcome  the  bride;  we  come  to 
deck  her  bower  with  the  lily  and  the  lotus ;  with  the  red 
pomegranate,  and  with  the  purple  passion  flower. 

[The  GIRLS  divide.  Some  go  to  the  inner  chamber, 
L.  Others  hang  their  flowers  round  the  pillars 
at  the  back,  and  over  the  door  R.  SEBNI  and 
TEHUTI  help  the  latter.  TAMAI  is  one  of  these, 
and  she  constantly  interrupts  her  work  to  gaze 
at  JOSEPH] 

JOSEPH  [Gazing  at  ASENATH]  Happy  the  bride,  with 
such  flowers  to  greet  her. 

ASENATH  [Laughing  roguishly]  Yet  thou  seest  them 
not! 

JOSEPH   [Eagerly]      I  see  the  fairest. 

ASENATH  [Demurely]  The  Shepherd  of  Dothan  is 
soft  of  speech. 

JOSEPH  [Starting  back]  The  Shepherd  of  Dothan — ! 
Alas  !  I  had  forgotten. 

ASENATH  [Coming  towards  him  anxiously]  What  had 
Joseph  forgotten? 

JOSEPH.  I  had  forgotten  I  am  a  bondman  to  Poti- 
phar;  a  stranger  in  Egypt;  a  slave;  a  straw,  blown  by 
the  wind;  a  leaf  floating  on  the  water.  Mine  eyes  are 
the  eyes  of  a  slave,  and  must  see  nought;  my  tongue  is 
a  slave's  tongue,  and  must  utter  no  sound  [Passionately] 
though  here — here — a  man's  heart  be  beating. 

ASENATH  [Trying  to  touch  him  with  her  hand — but 
he  avoids  her  touch]  Poor  heart!  Is  it  beating  for 
freedom  ? 

JOSEPH.  It  is  beating — [With  intense  eagerness] 
Asenath,  Asenath,  they  whisper  that  war  is  at  hand, 

47 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

that  Pharaoh  will  send  Potiphar  forth  to  strike  down 
rebellion.  I  will  throw  myself  at  my  lord's  feet;  he 
shall  let  me  fight  at  his  side;  fighting  I  will  win  free- 
dom, and  then,  when  I  come  back,  a  free  man,  mine  eyes 
shall  gaze  into  thine;  and  my  tongue  shall  tell  thee 
why  my  heart  beateth  so  wildly. 

ASENATH.     But  in  the  battle  thou  may'st  be  slain. 

JOSEPH.     At  least  I  shall  be  free ! 

ASENATH.     And  I  forever  bound. 

JOSEPH.  Asenath — !  [With  agony]  Oh!  I  forget 
my  bonds ! 

ASENATH.  Rid  thyself  quickly  of  thy  bonds,  lest 
thou  be  too  late. 

JOSEPH.     Too  late? 

ASENATH.  My  father  is  the  priest  of  the  great  god- 
dess Neith. 

JOSEPH.     Alas,  I  know  not  thy  strange  gods. 

ASENATH.  Thou  shalt  tell  me  of  thine  in  happier 
days.  My  father  is  a  stern  man.  There  is  one  at 
court,  a  great  officer  in  Pharaoh's  household,  who  stand- 
eth  next  to  him  when  he  breaketh  bread — 

JOSEPH  [Laughing]  Of  monstrous  girth:  I  know 
him  well — 

ASENATH.     He  seeketh  me  to  wife. 

JOSEPH.     He — !     That  ancient  mountain — ! 

ASENATH.  My  father  loveth  him.  [Girls  come  down] 
I  plead  I  am  too  young;  the  Chief  Baker  pleadeth  he 
waxeth  too  old.  O  Joseph,  the  day  is  near  when  I  must 
choose — 

JOSEPH.    Choose — !     There  is  choice,  then? 

ASENATH.  Ay — 'twixt  wedding  the  old  lord,  or  leav- 
ing the  world  forever,  in  the  sisterhood  of  Neith. 

JOSEPH  [Fiolently]  Neither  one  or  the  other!  By 
the  true  God,  I  swear — ! 

48 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

ASENATH   [Frightened]      Hush! — The  maidens — 
JOSEPH  [Bitterly]     Ay — I  had  forgotten  again.     Ho ! 
I  am  here  but  to  stir  the  incense  poisoning  God's  air ! 

[He  does  so.     The  smoke  goes  up] 

ASENATH.  Zuleika  will  ever  have  it  so.  I  think  God's 
air  poisoneth  her. 

JOSEPH.  Dost  thou,  too,  feel  the  dread?  Where  she 
walketh  I  think  the  flowers  wither.  Look;  these  are 
failing  already. 

ASENATH  [Hushed]  They  say  she  hath  led  many 
men  to  their  deaths. 

JOSEPH.  Then  that  is  the  evil  spell  about  her:  the 
dead  men  walk  at  her  side. 

ASENATH.    She  is  very  fair. 

JOSEPH.  Her  beauty  blindeth  and  burneth:  it  is  un- 
speakable. 

ASENATH  [Hurt  by  his  words]     Alas — ! 

JOSEPH.     There  is  only  one  shield  against  it. 

ASENATH.     What  is  that? 

JOSEPH.     Love. 

SEBNI  [At  the  door  R.]  My  lord  Potiphar  draweth 
nigh. 

ASENATH.     And  the  bride? 

SEBNI.  Later.  The  lord  of  the  house  must  be  here 
to  receive  her. 

JOSEPH  [To  ASENATH]  Come!  We  will  meet  them 
on  the  threshold. 

[He  goes  out  with  ASENATH.  SEBNI  and  TEHUTI 
follow.  The  six  girls  come  down  in  eager 
chatter] 

MEHTU.     Asenath  is  gone  with  the  Canaanite! 
ANSET.      I    would   go    with   him   to  the   end   of   the 
world ! 

49 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

ARILENNU.     Have  ye  seen  Zuleika's  eyes  on  him? 

NESTA  [  With  a  comic  shudder]  Whoo !  She  will  eat 
him  up ! 

ANSET.     And  never  leave  us  a  bone! 

TAHERER.     But  he  keepeth  his  eyes  on  the  ground. 

ARILENNU.     Save  when  Asenath  is  near. 

ANSET.     Then  they  flash  fire. 

MEHTU.  I  would  give  my  youth  to  see  them  flash  so 
for  me. 

ARILENNU  [To  TAMAI,  who  has  stood  silent,  matching 
the  door]  Thou,  what  wouldst  thou  do? 

TAMAI  [With  utter  devotion]  If  he  spake  to  me — if 
he  called  me — Nay !  I  will  not  say  what  I  would  do, 
or  what  I  would  give. 

[The  girls  break  into  gay  laughter.  A  flourish  of 
trumpets.  Enter  POTIPHAR,  leaning  on  JOSEPH'S 
shoulder,  accompanied  by  MENTHU,  the  high 
priest,  and  by  other  nobles.  When  he  has 
reached  the  centre  of  the  room  the  six  GIRLS 
hurry  to  the  entrance,  to  await  the  bride  with 
flowers] 

POTIPHAR.  Friends  all — I  thank  you.  What  happi- 
ness the  gods  had  in  store  they  have  showered  upon  me; 
and,  not  least,  your  loves.  Shield  me  henceforth  with 
your  love  against  the  strokes  of  fate. 

MENTHU.  Peace  dwell  in  the  land  forever,  that 
nought  may  drag  thee  from  Zuleika's  arms. 

POTIPHAR.  Great  priest  of  Neith,  the  lover  giveth 
thee  thanks,  though  the  soldier  must  upbraid  thee. 

MEHTU  [At  the  door]     The  bride!    The  bride! 

[Distant  music  coming  nearer.  All  form  up,  to 
greet  the  BRIDE.  POTIPHAR  and  JOSEPH  are  left 
alone] 

50 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

POTIPHAR  [To  JOSEPH]  Thy  shoulder,  boy.  Her 
beauty  turneth  my  heart  to  water.  I  am  afraid  of  too 
great  joy. 

JOSEPH.     May  the  joy  last  forever,  my  lord. 

POTIPHAR.  Thou  art  too  young — thou  knowest  not 
love. 

JOSEPH.  I  knew  it  not  till  I  was  brought  hither.  But 
now — • 

POTIPHAR.     What!     Tell  me  her  name — 

JOSEPH.     A  bondman  can  breathe  no  names — 

POTIPHAR   [Embracing   him]      Ask  what  thou  wilt — 

JOSEPH   [Eagerly]      My  lord — 

POTIPHAR  [Seeing  the  bridal  procession]  Nay! — 
Nay ! — Away ! — Zuleika ! 

[Enter  MINSTRELS,  playing  upon  their  instruments, 
then  LADIES,  and,  lastly,  preceded  by  the  six 
GIRLS,  who  strew  flowers  before  her,  ZULEIKA, 
with  ASENATH  by  her  side,  and  with  WAKARA 
following  her.  ZULEIKA  is  in  a  magnificent 
bridal  dress.  She  comes  forward  towards  POTI- 
PHAR, but  her  eyes  are  fixed  on  JOSEPH,  who  is 
standing  behind  his  master] 

POTIPHAR  [  To  the  minstrels]     Cease  your  minstrelsy ! 
ZULEIKA.     My  lord — 

[She  bows  low] 

POTIPHAR  [To  all  present]  I  bid  you  all  a  kind 
farewell. 

MENTHU  [Leading  forward  ASENATH]  Farewell, 
great  warrior. 

JOSEPH  [Motioning  to  the  SLAVES  and  MAIDENS  to  go. 
To  POTIPHAR]  Farewell,  my  lord. 

POTIPHAR.  Ah!  I  am  grown  selfish  in  my  joy.  [To 
ALL]  Stay,  friends. 

51 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

[ALL,  on  the  point  of  going,  turn] 

MENTHU.     What  more,  my  lord? 

POTIPHAR.  When  this  marvel  came  hither,  she 
brought  me  many  gifts;  but  none  more  welcome  than 
this  lad,  whom  she  had  saved  from  death.  And  now,  in 
the  hour  of  love's  triumph,  Joseph  hath  told  me  he,  too, 
is  in  love's  thrall,  but  dare  not  speak,  being  a  slave. 
What  better  gift  can  I  give  thee,  Zuleika,  than  Joseph's 
freedom  ? 

[ASENATH  gives  a  little  cry  of  joy] 

ZULEIKA  [Hardly  able  to  restrain  a  cry  of  rage]  My 
lord—! 

JOSEPH  [Throwing  himself  at  POTIPHAR'S  feet]  0 
my  good  lord — 

POTIPHAR.  I  will  load  thee  with  gifts,  and  thou 
shalt  go  back  to  thine  own  land. 

ZULEIKA  [Hastily]  If  Joseph  love,  perchance  the 
woman  he  loveth  is  here,  and,  in  sending  him  hence, 
thou  art  sending  him  from  her. 

POTIPHAR.     Why,  she  shall  go  with  him ! 

ZULEIKA.     Perchance  she  is  one  who  cannot  go. 

POTIPHAR.  How  might  that  be  ? — Speak,  Joseph,  who 
is  she? 

[JOSEPH  and  ASENATH  exchange  glances] 

JOSEPH.  Under  favour,  I  cannot  speak  before  all 
these. 

ZULEIKA  [Amiable,  but  with  suppressed  fury]  Is  it 
one  of  my  maids? 

JOSEPH.     No,  lady. 

THE  Six  MAIDS  [In  the  background,  involuntarily] 
Alas,  no ! 

POTIPHAR  [Laughing]  Keep  thy  secret  until  we  are 
52 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

alone.  If  she  be  as  Zuleika  saith,  I  will  importune 
Pharaoh  himself,  and  no  bar  shall  hinder  thee.  [Lead- 
ing his  guests  off]  Farewell !  Farewell ! — 

[ALL  exeunt  except  ZULEIKA  and  WAKARA] 

ZULEIKA  [Darkly;  looking  after  JOSEPH]  Snatched 
from  me?  So?  [To  WAKARA]  Wakara — !  Hither! — 
Knowest  thou  whom  he  loveth? 

WAKARA.      Who,  lady  ? 

ZULEIKA  [Impatiently]     The  slave  .  .  .  Joseph. 

WAKARA.  Whom  else  can  a  man  love  when  Zuleika 
is  nigh? 

ZULEIKA  [An  exclamation  of  triumph]  Hah! — [She 
sees  POTIPHAR  turning  to  come  to  her]  Peace — peace — 
fool! 

POTIPHAR  [Eagerly]  Zuleika! — [He  sees  WAKARA] 
Still  attended! 

ZULEIKA.     My  tiring-woman. 

POTIPHAR  [To  WAKARA]  Perform  thine  office 
quickly. 

ZULEIKA  [Raising  her  hands  to  her  head]  This 
heavy  coronet — 

[WAKARA    lifts    it    off.      ZULEIKA'S    hair    streams 
loose] 

POTIPHAR  [Amazed]  Ha!  Thy  hair  floweth  out  as 
the  night  floweth  over  the  desert. 

ZULEIKA.     The  cloak — it  crusheth  me. 

[WAKARA  removes  the  cloak.     ZULEIKA  stands  in  a 
straight  robe  of  gold] 

POTIPHAR.     Bid  the  woman  begone! 
ZULEIKA.     No  such  haste,  my  lord.     [She  sits  on  the 
throne-like  chair]     Now  these  jewelled  sandals. 

53 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

[WAKARA  removes  the  sandals.  ZULEIKA'S  toes  are 
covered  with  gems,  and  on  her  ankles  are  flashing 
anklets. 

POTIPHAR  [To  WAKARA]     Begone,  or  perish ! 
ZULEIKA   [With  a  lorn  laugh]      Go,  Wakara. 

[WAKARA  kisses  ZULEIKA'S  feet,  and  slips  out,  R. 
ZULEIKA  lies  back  on  the  couch  and  matches 
POTIPHAR,  who  stands  gazing  at  her  with  rapture. 

ZULEIKA  [With  a  touch  of  mockery]  Well — ?  She 
is  gone  my  lord. 

POTIPHAR.  Forty  years  have  I  faced  strange  deaths, 
yet  never  till  now  knew  I  fear. 

ZULEIKA.     Of  what  is  my  lord  af eared? 

POTIPHAR.     Of  thy  beauty. 

ZULEIKA.     Gaze  on  my  beauty,  till  fear  be  fled. 

POTIPHAR.  The  longer  I  gaze,  the  more  will  fear 
grow.  [He  advances  a  step]  This  mine?  All  mine? 
Dare  I  come  nearer?  Dare  I  touch  thee? 

ZULEIKA.     Come  nearer.     Give  me  thy  hand. 

POTIPHAR  [Sinking  on  his  knees  and  seizing  her 
hand]  Thine  is  like  a  burning  coal. 

ZULEIKA.     It  is  hot  with  shame. 

POTIPHAR.     Shame ! 

ZULEIKA.     My  lord  hath  scorned  my  gift. 

POTIPHAR.     What  gift  have  I  scorned? 

ZULEIKA  [Watching  him  keenly]  I  gave  my  lord  a 
slave.  My  lord  hasteneth  to  be  rid  of  him. 

POTIPHAR.     Joseph — ?    Ah!  why  speak  of  him  now? 

ZULEIKA.  Why,  truly?  What  is  one  slave  more  or 
less,  eyen  though  I  gave  him? 

POTIPHAR.     I  thought  to  please  thee! 

ZULEIKA.  By  scorning  my  gift?  So  thou  wilt  soon 
scorn  all  I  give  thee. 

54 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

POTIPHAR.    Zuleika ! 

ZULEIKA.  If  I  give  thee  my  love,  to-morrow  thou 
wilt  scorn  it! 

POTIPHAR.  Woman!  Thou  drivest  fear  out  of  my 
heart,  and  fillest  it  with  madness ! 

[He  tries   to  embrace  her] 

ZULEIKA.     Withdraw  thy  word  from  the  slave! 
POTIPHAR.     That  I  cannot. 
ZULEIKA   [In  tears]      Scorned! — I  am  scorned! 
POTIPHAR     [Seizing    her]       Scorned — !       Thou    art 
loved!     Thou  art  mine — !    Zuleika!  Zuleika! 

[A  trumpet  call  very  near] 

POTIPHAR.  What  now?  [Heavy  knocking  at  door, 
R.]  Ha! 

[Enter  WAKARA  with  a  torch] 

WAKARA.     The  Hebrew  slave — 
POTIPHAR  [Furious]      Joseph! — 

[He  strides  towards  the  door] 

ZULEIKA  [To  herself]  Joseph — !  [With  a  low 
laugh]  He  loveth  me! 

[Enter  JOSEPH  in  haste] 

JOSEPH.     My  lord!     My  lord! 
POTIPHAR.    Accursed  slave!    What  is't? 
JOSEPH.     Alas,  not  my  errand,  my  lord — 
POTIPHAR.     Who  dares,  then — ? 
JOSEPH    [With  a  salute]      Pharaoh. 
POTIPHAR    [Startled]      Pharaoh — ? 
JOSEPH.     Imhotep,  the  Lord  Chief  Butler,  beareth  a 
letter  from  Pharaoh — 

55 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

POTIPHAR.  Typho  seize  him! — Arouse  the  house- 
hold. Have  him  hither  with  all  homage. 

[Exit   JOSEPH.      WAKARA    kindles   hanging  lamps] 

POTIPHAR  [To  ZULEIKA,  indicating  the  door  at  the 
back]  A  plague  on  the  marplot!  Yet  it  were  well  if 
thou — 

ZULEIKA.  Oh,  let  me  bide;  I,  too,  would  hear  the 
news. 

POTIPHAR.  'Tis  nought.  [Anxiously]  The  gods 
grant  it  be  nought. 

[Meanwhile  the  hall  has  filled  with  POTIPHAR'S 
household.  A  trumpet  sounds.  Enter  soldiers  as 
guard  of  honour.  JOSEPH  appears  at  the  door] 

JOSEPH.  The  Lord  Imhotep,  Lord  Chief  Butler  of 
Pharaoh,  the  King  of  Kings ! 

[Enter  IMHOTEP:  a  magnificent  apparition.  Behind 
him  follow  several  richly  clad  NOBLES  and  OFFI- 
CERS. All  present  bow  their  heads  and  raise 
their  arms  in  obeisance.  POTIPHAR  advances  in 
the  same  attitude] 

POTIPHAR.  The  presence  of  my  lord  sheddeth  radi- 
ance through  my  halls. 

IMHOTEP.     Friend,  I  come  not  of  mine  own  will — 
POTIPHAR.    Let  thy  servant  hear — 

[IMHOTEP  unwinds  a  piece  of  rich  silk  he  is  carry- 
ing, and  out  of  it  produces  an  earthenware  case 
containing  an  inscribed  clay  tablet] 

IMHOTEP  [With  great  solemnity]  This  from  User- 
tesen,  the  Pharaoh,  the  King  of  the  North  and  the 
South,  the  King  of  Kings. 

56 


ZULEIKA 

From  a  Drawing  by  Dorothy  Parker 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

[All  present  salute  the  letter  with  great  reverence. 
POTIPHAR  receives  it  on  his  knees,  in  both  hands, 
and  devoutly  kisses  it. 

IMHOTEP.     Read  it. 

POTIPHAR.  I  am  a  soldier  and  no  scholar.  Let 
Joseph  read. 

[He  hands  the  case  to  JOSEPH,  who  receives  it 
with  an  obeisance.  JOSEPH  takes  the  tablet  out 
of  the  case,  and,  holding  it  flat  on  the  palms  of 
both  hands,  reads: 

JOSEPH.  To  my  trusted  servant,  the  captain  of  my 
hosts,  Potiphar,  my  majesty  sendeth  greeting.  Certain 
rebellious  tribes  have  arisen  in  the  south,  doing  griev- 
ous hurt  to  the  children  of  the  sun.  My  majesty  hath 
been  very  patient,  but  thereby  the  rebels  have  waxed 
proud,  deeming  us  afraid.  Now  they  are  within  two 
days'  march.  Wherefore  my  majesty  biddeth  thee  take 
men  and  horses  to-night  and  fall  upon  them  swiftly 
and  wipe  them  utterly  from  the  face  of  the  earth. 

[ZULEIKA'S  face  expresses  delight.  Commotion 
among  the  bystanders] 

POTIPHAR.     The  King's  word  shall  be  obeyed. 

IMHOTEP  [Gravely]  Friend,  I  will  see  thee  on  thy 
way. 

POTIPHAR.  That  shall  be  to  my  honour:  to-morrow  at 
dawn. 

IMHOTEP.     The  King's  word  saith  to-night. 

POTIPHAR.     To-night — ! 

ZULEIKA  [Quietly]     Thus  thy  slave  read. 

JOSEPH  [Looking  at  the  tablet]     It  is  to-night. 

POTIPHAR  [Beside  himself]  Hath  not  the  King 
heard — ?  Doth  he  not  know — ? 

57 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

IMHOTEP  [With  grave  surprise  and  reproof]  Friend 
— the  King's  word  is  waiting — 

POTIPHAR  [Helpless]  Ay — ay — I  come.  [With  an 
outburst  of  fury]  And  when  I  come  upon  the  rebels, 
the  very  gods  of  cruelty  shall  pity  them! 

[Furiously  he  snatches  at  the  weapons  and  armour 
his  slaves  hurriedly  bring  him.  ZULEIKA  watches 
him,  demurely  amused] 

JOSEPH.     My  lord,  let  me  fight  at  thy  side. 
[ZULEIKA  is  startled  and  anxious] 

POTIPHAR  [With  a  touch  of  contempt]  Thou,  shep- 
herd of  Dothan?  Nay,  there  shall  be  deeds  no  shep- 
herd may  look  upon. 

JOSEPH  [Hotly]  I  fought  with  my  brothers  against 
Shechem ! 

POTIPHAR.     I  have  other  work  for  thee ! — 

JOSEPH  [With  increasing  heat]     My  lord  promised — 

POTIPHAR.  I  promised  thee  freedom — [Gently]  but 
now,  Joseph,  I  crave  a  boon. 

JOSEPH  [Abashed]  My  lord — !  Do  with  me  as 
thou  wilt. 

POTIPHAR.  Fighters  I  have  as  the  sands  of  the  des- 
ert, but  no  friend  I  love  as  I  love  thee.  Ah !  thou  shalt 
lose  nought  by  granting  my  request.  Lo !  I  make  thee 
lord  of  my  household  while  I  am  at  the  war,  and  what- 
ever is  mine  I  put  in  thy  charge.  Maidens  and  men, 
ye  hear? 

HERU.     We  hear  and  obey. 

POTIPHAR  [With  his  hand  on  Joseph's  shoulder]  But, 
chiefest,  I  commit  to  thy  keeping  the  lady  Zuleika. 
Joseph — Joseph — watch  over  her  as  though  thou  wert 
myself. 

58 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

JOSEPH  [Innocently]  As  thou  leavest  her,  my  lord, 
so  shalt  thou  find  her. 

POTIPHAR.  As  I  leave  her — !  Zuleika,  I  dare  scarce 
look  on  thee  again,  lest  I  forget  Pharaoh's  word. 

ZULEIKA  [Putting  her  arm  around  his  neck]  Forget 
his  word,  my  lord. 

POTIPHAR  [  With  a  sort  of  suppressed  roar]  Woman ! 
Woman!  [Passionate  embrace.  He  shakes  himself 
loose.  To  IMHOTEP]  Lead  on! 

[Trumpets  sound.  ALL  go  out  R.  POTIPHAR 
marches  out  with  set  face,  without  looking  round. 
ZULEIKA  stands  rigid  where  POTIPHAR  left  her. 
JOSEPH  waits  at  the  door  until  all  are  gone;  then 
closes  it.  WAKARA  comes  soothingly  to  ZULEIKA] 

WAKARA.     Be  comforted,  sweet  lady. 

ZULEIKA  [With  a  note  of  mockery]  Comforted — ! 
[She  breaks  into  a  low,  mocking  laugh.  Then,  very 
tenderly]  Joseph — 

JOSEPH  [Leaving  the  door]     Ay,  lady? 

ZULEIKA.     Did  Pharaoh  truly  write  "to-night"? 

JOSEPH    [Amused]     Of  a  surety! 

ZULEIKA.     Of  a  surety  thou  art  very  cunning. 

JOSEPH.     Lady,  good-night. 

ZULEIKA.  Nay,  come  hither,  and  tell  me  of  the  old 
man,  thy  father,  and  of  thy  mother. 

JOSEPH.  I  must  keep  watch  and  ward.  Sleep  soundly. 
I  wake! 

[He  goes  through  the  curtains  into  the  garden. 
ZULEIKA  watches  him  off] 

ZULEIKA  [To  WAKARA]  Open  the  curtains,  girl. 
[WAKARA  does  so.  In  the  distance  the  tops  of  the  Pyra- 
mids are  touched  with  gold]  Ahah — !  The  blessed 
dawn! 

59 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

WAKARA.     So  soon,  after  so  weary  a  night — ! 

ZULEIKA.  Fool!  I  am  so  much  nearer  the  night  to 
come! 

WAKARA.  Let  me  make  fast  the  curtains.  Sleep, 
lady,  sleep. 

ZULEIKA.  Let  the  curtains  be !  I  will  not  sleep  while 
he  waketh. 

WAKARA.  While  he  waketh — ?  The  lord  Poti- 
phar — ?  The  lord  and  lover? 

ZULEIKA  [Watching  JOSEPH,  who  is  seen  passing  in 
the  distance]  Ay — my  lover  and  my  lord! 

[WAKARA  slips  out,  L.;  leaving  ZULEIKA  watching] 
THE  SCENE  CHANGES 


60 


SCENE  II 
POTIPHAR'S  GARDEN 

PERSONS 

Joseph  Ranofer 

Sebni  Serseru 

A  Runner  Asenath 

\Vakara 

Slaves 

SCENE  2 — Potiphar's  Garden 

It  is  a  thick  grove  of  sycamore,  acacia,  pomegranate, 
tamarisk,  fig  and  olive.  There  is  a  vine-clad  bower,  R. 
Through  an  opening  at  the  back  the  same  distant  view  is 
disclosed  as  in  the  previous  scene.  The  garden  is 
flooded  with  moonlight,  but  there  are  patches  of  im- 
penetrable shadow.  The  space  at  the  back  is  bathed 
in  light,  and  great  stars  seem  to  stand  out  solid  against 
the  deep  purple  sky.  Throughout  the  scene  there  is  a 
vague  impression  of  singing — now  a  man's  voice,  now  a 
woman's — in  the  distance. 

JOSEPH,  wrapped  in  a  cloak,  is  giving  orders  to 
SEBNI.  Some  distance  away  two  SLAVES  bearing  torches. 

JOSEPH.    Are  guards  at  all  the  gates? 
61 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

SEBNI.     They  are,  my  lord. 

JOSEPH.     Here  I  myself  will  keep  watch. 

[He  dismisses  SEBNI  with  a  gesture] 

SEBNI  [Mysteriously]  My  lord, — I  take  my  life  in 
my  hands  to  speak — 

JOSEPH.     Well? 

SEBNI  [Nearer]  Let  me  whisper,  my  lord: — The 
lord  Serseru — 

JOSEPH.     The  Lord  Chief  Baker — ?     What  of  him? 

SEBNI.     He  and  another. 

JOSEPH.     What  other? 

SEBNI.     Ranofer — the  treasurer — 

JOSEPH.    What  of  them? 

SEBNI.  They  are  ever  in  close  talk — my  fellows  have 
heard — and  their  talk  means  death — 

JOSEPH.     To  me? 

SEBNI.  I  dare  scarce  breathe  the  name: — to  Userte- 
sen,  the  Pharaoh. 

JOSEPH  [Concealing  his  horror]  Thy  fellows  bring 
thee  broken  words — and  thou  weavest  a  tale — ! 

SEBNI.     Let  not  my  lord's  wrath  be  kindled — ! 

JOSEPH.     Get  thee  to  thy  watch. 

[As  SEBNI  is  going,  he  meets  a  RUNNER] 

SEBNI  [To  JOSEPH]     Lo! — a  messenger. 

JOSEPH.     Whence  art  thou? 

RUNNER  [Saluting]     From  the  lord  Potiphar. 

JOSEPH   [Eagerly]     Quickly,  thy  news! 

RUNNER  [Producing  the  clay  letter]  My  first  errand 
was  to  Pharaoh.  This  for  thee. 

JOSEPH.  Ho!  a  torch! —  [He  reads:  "Potiphar, 
the  servant  of  Pharaoh,  by  the  hand  of  Neb,  the  scribe, 
to  Joseph,  the  son  of  Jacob,  greeting.  The  rebels  are 

62 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

scattered;  their  treasure  taken;  their  strongholds  razed. 
I  hasten  homeward  on  the  wings  of  love.  If  the  runner 
reach  thee  at  sundown  give  him  gold  and  bid  Zuleika 
rejoice,  for  I  shall  be  with  her  at  dawn."  [To  the 
RUNNER]  Here  is  gold  from  Potiphar — and  here  from 
me:  for  this  is  the  best  news  that  ever  man  gat.  Haste 
to  the  lady  Zuleika!  [Exit  RUNNER;  to  SEBNI]  To 
thy  watch!  [To  the  SLAVES]  Make  ready! 

[All  but  JOSEPH  exeunt] 

JOSEPH   [In  deep  thought]     A  plot  against  Pharaoh's 
life — !     Oh,  it  is  well  my  lord  is  coming! 

ASENATH'S  VOICE   [Without,  singing]  — 
In  the  scented  garden  I  sought  my  love 
When  I  was  alone  with  the  night: 
The  moon's  face  mocked  me, 
The  stars  twinkled  with  laughter; 
But  I  heeded  them  not. 
Moon,  I  cried,  thou  seekest  after  the  sun, 
Stars,  ye  seek  after  the  moon, 
And  I  seek  after  my  love. 

[She   has   appeared   among   the   flowering  shrubs] 

JOSEPH.     Asenath ! 

ASENATH.     Thou  heard'st  my  song ! 

JOSEPH.     The  moon  never  reacheth  the  sun — 

ASENATH.     That   is    why   her   face   is   sometimes   so 
dark. 

JOSEPH.     The  stars  never  reach  the  moon — 

ASENATH.     And  sometimes  they  drop  out  of  heaven 
for  grief. 

JOSEPH.     But  Asenath  hath  found  her  love. 

ASENATH.     They  say  thy  lord  cometh  to-morrow,  and 
thou  wilt  be  free,  and  I  shall  lose  thee  again. 

63 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

JOSEPH.     Never  again,  if  I  be  thy  love. 

ASENATH.     How  might  that  be? 

JOSEPH  [Playfully]  That  I  cannot  tell  thee,  till  I 
know  whether  I  be  thy  love  or  no. 

ASENATH  [Imitating  him]  That  I  cannot  tell  thee, 
till  I  know  whether  I  be  thy  love  or  no. 

JOSEPH  [Drawing  her  to  him]  Lie  on  my  heart,  and 
feel  it  beat  against  thine. 

ASENATH  [Folding  her  arms  about  his  neck]  Thou 
art  my  love  and  my  life.  [JOSEPH  draws  her  gently 
to  the  bower] 

JOSEPH.  Radiant  and  white  art  thou,  as  the  snows  on 
Mount  Carmel. 

ASENATH.  Radiant  and  strong  art  thou,  as  the  sun- 
god. 

JOSEPH.  I  am  lost  in  thee;  I  am  dazed  by  thy 
beauty;  I  am  stricken  with  awe  by  thy  youth  and 
innocence.  \Very  gently;  taking  her  hands]  Beloved 
— to-morrow — 

ASENATH    [Surprised]      Thou   boldest   me    afar   off. 

JOSEPH.     Let  me  speak  of  serious  things. 

ASENATH.     Is  not  love  a  serious  thing? 

JOSEPH.     It  is  of  love  I  speak. 

ASENATH.     I  cannot  hear  thee  so  far  away. 

JOSEPH.     I  cannot  speak  when  thou  art  nearer. 

ASENATH.     Oh,  speak  quickly,  then. 

JOSEPH.  To-morrow  at  dawn  my  lord  returneth, 
and  I  shall  be  free.  My  first  errand  will  be  to  thy 
father. 

ASENATH  [Chilled]  My  father — !  [She  moves 
away] 

JOSEPH.     Nay,  Asenath,  not  so  far ! 

ASENATH.  Thou  hast  brought  broad  day  into  our 
sheltering  night. 

64- 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

JOSEPH.  Nay,  if  thy  father  deny  me,  Potiphar  will 
go  up  to  Pharaoh  himself,  and  Pharaoh  shall  do  me 
justice. 

ASENATH.  Dreamer,  dreamer,  thou  art  in  a  vain 
dream.  My  father  will  have  me  wed  Serseru,  or  for 
ever  wait  in  living  death  on  the  goddess  whose  name 
I  bear — 

JOSEPH.     Whose  name  thou  bearest — ? 

ASENATH.  What  is  Asenath,  being  interpreted,  but 
one  devoted  to  Neith? 

JOSEPH.  We  will  give  Neith  her  fill  of  bullocks  and 
goats,  but,  by  the  living  God,  not  Asenath ! 

ASENATH.  Hush,  blasphemer !  Even  Pharaoh  cannot 
help  us  against  the  gods.  The  priests  would  rise  up 
and  slay  him. 

JOSEPH.     Asenath,  art  thou  brave? 

ASENATH.     I  know  not. 

JOSEPH.  Wilt  thou  put  thy  hand  in  mine,  and  take 
flight  with  me? 

ASENATH.     Hark ! 

JOSEPH.     Footsteps ! 

ASENATH   [Seeing  the  newcomer]     We  are  lost! 

JOSEPH.  Hither!  Hither!  [He  draws  her  into  the 
bower  and  pulls  some  of  the  vine  down  over  its  entrance] 

[Enter    RANOFER    and    SERSERU.      SERSERU    is    an 
enormously  fat  old  man] 

RANOFER.  I  tell  thee,  Menthu  is  determined.  Ase- 
nath shall  be  thy  wife. 

ASENATH.     That  is  Ranofer,  the  lord  treasurer. 

JOSEPH  [To  ASENATH]     He  speaketh  too  hastily. 

SERSERU.  I  saw  no  hindrance  till  now.  She  cast  her 
eyes  down  when  I  spake,  but  at  least  there  was  no  loath- 
ing in  them.  Now — 

65 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 


RANOFER.     What  knoweth  the  child  of  love  or  loath- 


ing 


ASENATH  [With  her  arms  around  JOSEPH,  her  face 
against  his]  What  knoweth  she  not? 

RANOFER.  This  she  knoweth:  'tis  either  wed  thee,  or 
leave  the  world  and  serve  Neith. 

JOSEPH    [Kissing  ASENATH]      There  is  a  third  way. 

[Enter  WAKARA  at  the  back,  looking  for  JOSEPH! 

SERSERU.  The  fear  of  losing  her  weareth  me  to  a 
shadow — 

JOSEPH.     Say  an  eclipse. 

RANOFER.  Plague  thyself  no  more. — Now,  as  con- 
cerning Pharaoh — 

SERSERU  [Frightened]     Lower!     Lower! 

RANOFER.     Who  should  be  stirring  so  late? 

SERSERU.     The  Hebrew — Joseph — is  on  guard. 

RANOFER  [Producing  a  small  box]  Here  is  what  I 
promised  thee. 

SERSERU.  I  dare  not.  Imhotep,  the  Chief  Butler, 
hath  eyes  like  a  hawk. 

RANOFER.  Listen.  When  Pharaoh  drinketh,  they 
pour  wine  first  into  Imhotep's  cup  for  him  to  taste. 
While  he  is  drinking,  slip  this  into  the  vessel  they  have 
poured  from.  As  it  toucheth  the  wine  it  is  melted,  and 
Pharaoh's  cup  will  be  filled  with  death. 

ASENATH  [Hiding  her  face  on  JOSEPH'S  shoulder] 
Horrible ! 

SERSERU.     How  can  I  do  that,  unseen? 

RANOFER.  Stumble  against  the  wine-bearer.  Let 
thy  long  sleeve  pass  over  the  vessel. 

RANOFER.     Come  away. 

SERSERU  [As  they  move  off]  When  shall  I  do  this 
thing  ? 

66 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

RANOFER.  To-morrow  night,  when  Pharaoh  is  feast- 
ing Potiphar.  Come. 

[Exeunt] 

ASENATH.  A  plot  against  Pharaoh!  It  is  too  hor- 
rible ! 

JOSEPH.  Nay — the  horrible  thing  shall  not  be  done. 
We  will  outwit  them. 

ASENATH  [Passionately]  Swear  I  shall  never  be  the 
murderer's  wife! 

JOSEPH.  That  will  I  readily  swear !  Get  thee  within ! 
Gather  courage  for  to-morrow. 

ASENATH  [Mastering  herself]  To-morrow — Lover, 
shall  we  ever  meet  again? 

JOSEPH.  Ay,  shall  we !  I  kiss  sleep  into  thine  eyes, 
and  a  smile  into  thy  lips,  and  courage  into  thy  heart. 
[He  sees  WAKARA]  Away! 

[ASENATH  slips  out  among  the  trees,  but  not  before 
WAKARA  has  caught  sight  of  her] 

WAKARA.  Joseph — Joseph ! 

JOSEPH.  Who  calleth? 

WAKARA.  'Tis  I — Wakara. 

JOSEPH.  What  is  thine  errand? 

WAKARA.  The  lady  Zuleika  hath  news  of  my  lord's 
return. 

JOSEPH.  I  sent  her  the  news. 

WAKARA.  She  biddeth  thee  come  to  her,  to  tell  her 
more. 

JOSEPH.  There  is  no  more  to  tell. 

WAKARA.  She  commandeth  thee  to  come. 

JOSEPH.  Tell  thy  mistress  I  am  on  guard.  I  may 
not  come. 

WAKARA.  Thy  mistress  commandeth  thee,  her  slave. 

67 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

JOSEPH.  Not  hers,  but  her  husband's.  I  will  not 
come. 

WAKARA.     I  cannot  carry  so  rough  an  answer. 

JOSEPH.     Speak  it  gently:  I  have  no  other. 

WAKARA.  I  will  tell  her.  [Going,  turns]  And  shall 
I  tell  thee  my  thought? 

JOSEPH.      If  'twill  ease  thy  mind. 

WAKARA.    I  think  thou  art  a  fool! 

[Exit] 

THE  SCENE  CHANGES. 


68 


SCENE  III 
ZULEIKA'S    ROOM 

PERSONS 
Joseph  Mehtu 

Zuleika  Anset 

Wakara  Arilennu 

Tamai  Taherer 
Nesta 

SCENE  3. — Zuleika's  Room. 

Doors  R.  and  L.  At  the  back  an  opening  through 
which  only  the  deep  sky  and  the  wonderful  stars  are 
seen.  The  walls  are  painted  with  strange  semi-human 
figures  in  the  Assyrian  manner,  only  vaguely  discernible. 
In  the  centre,  outlined  against  the  opening,  there  is  a 
mysterious  gigantic  figure  of  a  goddess.  Under  it  stands 
a  tripod,  from  which  the  smoke  of  incense  rises  and 
hangs  in  purple  clouds  about  the  painted  ceiling.  There 
is  a  low  couch  covered  with  rich  tapestries.  Lilies, 
lotus-flowers,  and  other  heavily  scented  flowers  stand  in 
costly  jars.  Several  low  tables  on  which  are  curious 
implements  of  magic.  The  room  is  filled  with  dim  light 

69 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

from  many-coloured  and  shaded  lamps  hanging  from 
the  ceiling.  Heavy  tapestries  conceal  the  doors.  The 
whole  scene  conveys  the  impression  that  it  is  seen 
through  a  thin  mist,  like  a  scene  in  a  dream. 

[ZULEIKA,  robed  in  a  rich  surcoat  of  cloth  of  gold 
covered  with  embroidered  emblems  of  magic,  her  loose 
hair  crowned  with  a  diadem  of  dark-green  stones,  is 
seated  in  a  great  throne-like  chair,  her  hands  resting  on 
its  arms.  In  front  of  her,  on  a  tripod  made  of  three 
bronze  serpents  intertwined,  is  a  great  globe  of  crystal 
in  which  weird  changing  lights  and  colours  dimly  come 
and  go  as  she  speaks.  Into  this  she  stares  fixedly,  with 
wide  eyes.  Her  lips  move  silently  for  a  while,  but  at 
last  her  words  become  distinguishable.] 

ZULEIKA  {Without  moving;  speaking  as  if  uncon- 
sciously] Is  love  casting  a  veil  over  my  soul's  sight? 
What  mist  is  this  betwixt  me  and  my  beloved?  I  see 
him,  but  he  is  shrouded  from  me.  Who  was  with  him? 
There  was  one  with  him  who  set  his  soul  in  a  storm,  so 
that  I  saw  his  image  blurred,  as  in  troubled  waters.  Or 
is  it  the  storm  in  my  soul  that  sets  the  crystal  a-quiver? 
Ay !  I  am  taken  in  mine  own  springes !  I  have  laughed 
at  love,  and  watched,  laughing,  the  death  of  lovers,  and 
now  a  vulture  is  tearing  at  my  heart.  [She  sinks  back 
in  the  chair]  To-morrow  the  rough  warrior  returneth, 
flushed  with  victory.  Joseph  is  free,  and  I  am  a  slave. 
To-night,  then,  or  never!  [She  leans  forward  again  to 
gaze  into  the  crystal]  Why  doth  Wakara  tarry?  Will 
he  not  come?  Is  he  coming?  Clouds  and  night!  A 
curse  upon  the  useless  toy!  [She  rises]  At  least,  when 
he  cometh,  his  heart  shall  flame  as  mine  flameth  now ! 
[From  a  small  cabinet  she  takes  various  ingredients. 
She  crosses  to  the  tripod  under  the  goddess.  From  a 
hook  on  it  she  takes  a  small  golden  vessel  which  she 

70 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

places  on  the  burning  incense.  From  another  vessel,  also 
hanging  on  the  tripod,  she  takes  incense  which  she 
throws  into  the  burner.  The  smoke  rises  thicker  and 
green  flames  shoot  through  it.  Then  she  stands  with 
extended  arms  before  the  goddess]  Astarte,  protectress 
of  hapless  women  who  ache  with  unfulfilled  love,  hear 
me,  be  near  me,  guide  my  hand  as  I  brew  the  draught — 
[She  throws  the  ingredients  into  the  vessel;  it  hisses  and 
sends  up  steam]  thus ! — and  thus !  and  thus !  [She 
spreads  her  hands,  palm  downwards,  over  the  vessel] 
Sear  his  eyes  with  my  beauty — make  his  heart  like  pot- 
ter's clay  in  my  hands — set  an  unquenchable  thirst  upon 
his  lips —  [With  her  thumbs  touching,  and  palms  out- 
wards, she  raises  her  hands  towards  the  goddess]  Great 
Goddess  of  Love ! — Goddess  of  the  thousand  names ! — 
I  call  thee! — I  summon  thee!  Fill  the  cup  with  thy 
poison.  [The  brew  in  the  vessel  boils  over  with  hissings 
and  splutterings,  while  flames  dance  about  it;  she  lifts 
the  vessel  off  the  tripod]  Ha!  [She  pours  the  brew 
into  a  golden  beaker  standing  on  one  of  the  little  tables] 
Drink  this  with  me,  lover,  and  let  come  what  will! 
[Fiercely  to  WAKARA,  who  enters  L.]  Well? 

WAKARA  [Throwing  herself  at  ZULEIKA'S  feet]  Dread 
Mistress 

ZULEIKA  [Eagerly]     He  is  close  at  thy  heels — ? 

WAKARA.     Hear  me,  lady! 

ZULEIKA.  He  is  coming  anon,  when  the  night  is 
deeper — ! 

WAKARA.     He  is  not  coming! 

ZULEIKA.  What !  [After  a  momentary  pause  she 
seizes  WAKARA  by  the  throat  in  a  paroxysm  of  fury] 
Thou  liest!  Thou  liest!  Thou  hast  not  borne  my  mes- 
sage! Wretched  slave,  thou  hast  not  seen  him!  [Throws 
her  off]  Well!  Speak!  Speak! 

71 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

WAKARA.  I  bare  the  message  faithfully;  but  he  an- 
swered he  must  guard  the  house,  and  could  not  come. 

ZULEIKA  [Darkly]  He  must  guard  the  house — ! 
[With  a  wild  laugh]  And  the  night  flieth!  O  gods, 

how  swiftly  it  flieth ! He  must  come !  He  must 

come ! — Go  again 

WAKARA.     Alas  !    What  more  can  I  say  ? 

ZULEIKA  [Haughtily]     Say  I  command  my  slave! 

WAKARA.  I  said  so,  and  he  answered  he  was  not  thy 
slave,  but  Potiphar's. 

ZULEIKA.  He  dared — !  My  lord  shall  hear  of  this  ! 
— Ha!  ha!  ha!  What  am  I  saying — ?  [Suddenly,  rvith 
ferocity]  Was  he  alone? 

WAKARA.     When  I  spake  with  him,  ay — but 

ZULEIKA  [Eagerly]     But — ? 

WAKARA.     I  had  seen  the  trail  of  a  woman's  robe 

ZULEIKA.    Was  it  one  of  my  women? 

WAKARA.     I  know  not. 

ZULEIKA.     Summon  them  all.     Suddenly !     Suddenly ! 

[WAKARA  hurries  to  the  door  R.  and  cries] 

WAKARA.  Wake !    Wake !     Zuleika  calls ! 

ZULEIKA.  What  else  didst  thou  see? 

WAKARA.  I  saw  Ranofer  and  Serseru  slip  out  of  the 
garden. 

ZULEIKA.  Were  they  with  Joseph  ? 

WAKARA.  No.  They  saw  him  not.  They  were  deep 
in  their  plot.  Where  he  stood  he  must  have  heard  .every 
word. 

ZULEIKA.  The  plot  against  Pharaoh?  Ha!  Now  I 
hold  him ! 

[Enter  the  six  MAIDENS  huddling  through  the  door- 
way. They  are  half  awake  and  frightened  to 
death] 

72 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 


MKHTU.     Wakara!     What  is  it? 
ANSET.     I  am  half  clad! 
ARILENNU.     I  am  half-awake! 
TAHERER.     I  am  afeared! 


^[Together] 


NESTA.    What  ails  thee? 

TAMAI.    Why  are  we  summoned? 

ZULEIKA  [Dazed]  You! — Did  I  summon  you? — Ay! 
Wait!  [To  WAKARA]  Thou,  seek  him  again.  Say  I 
command  him  hither  by  his  troth  to  Potiphar.  Say  I 
know  of  the  plot  against  Pharaoh.  [Struck  by  a  new 
idea}  Say  Potiphar's  life  is  in  danger!  Say  that!  Say 
that !  Begone ! 

[Exit  WAKARA,  R.] 

ZULEIKA  [To  the  maids]     The  mirror! 
[NESTA  takes  the  mirror  from  a  table] 

MEHTU.     The  mirror,  so  late! 
ZULEIKA.     Is  the  night  so  old? 
ARILENNU.     'Tis  but  an  hour  ere  the  dawn. 
ZULEIKA.     Sayest  thou  so?     Swiftly,  then! 

[NESTA  gives  her  the  mirror] 

TAHERER.     But  wherefore?     Wherefore? 
ZULEIKA.     Is  not  my  lord  coming  at  sunrise? 
ANSET.     Oh!     That  is  glad  news! 
ZULEIKA    [To  TAMAI,  whose  left  hand  is  bandaged] 
Loosen  my  hair.    Why,  what  is  thy  wound? 

[All  the  girls  laugh] 

TAMAI  [Trying  to  hide  her  hand]  'Tis  nought.  This 
morning  I  was  cutting  a  melon,  and  the  knife  slipped. 

[All  laugh  again] 

ZULEIKA.     Why  do  you  laugh  at  her  hurt? 
73 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

NESTA.     She  hath  only  told  half  the  tale. 
MEHTU.     She  never  knew  she  had  cut  herself  till  we 
showed  her  the  wound. 

TAMAI  [In  distress]     Forbear!     Forbear! 

[All  laugh] 

ZULEIKA.     Come!     What  is  the  jest? 

ANSET.     She  was  wholly  lost  in  gazing 

TAMAI.     Mercy !     Mercy ! 

ZULEIKA  [Angrily]  Gazing  on  whom?  Must  I  grow 
angered  ? 

TAHERER.     On  my  Lord  Joseph. 

ZULEIKA  [Seizing  TAMAI'S  wounded  hand,  with  rage] 
Thou! 

TAMAI  [ In  agony]     My  hand  !     My  hand ! 

ZULEIKA  [Still  holding  her;  fiercely]  Thou  wast  with 
him  anon  in  the  garden ! 

TAMAI   [With  sincere  sorrow]      I,  lady — ?     Alas,  no! 

ZULEIKA  [With  a  bitter  laugh]  That  ringeth  true. 
[To  the  others]  Which  of  you  was  it,  then? 

[The  girls  answer  with  comic  pathos] 

NESTA.     Not  I. 
TAHERER.     Nor  I. 
ARILENNU.     Was  he  there? 

ANSET.     Had  I  known  he  was  there 

MEHTU.     I  should  have  forestalled  thee! 

[WAKARA  enters  R.] 

ZULEIKA  [Eagerly]     Wakara! 

WAKARA.     He  is  here. 

ZULEIKA.     Ah — !     Bid  him  wait! 

[Exit  L.     Enter  JOSEPH,  R.     The  girls  are  keenly 
interested] 

74 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

WAKARA  [To  JOSEPH]     Thou  art  to  wait. 

[She  shuts  the  door  behind  him  and  stands  in  front 
of  it] 

MEHTU  [Coming  up  to  him  caressingly]  Thou — 
here ! 

JOSEPH  [Courteously]     Where  is  the  lady  Zuleika? 

ANSET  [Close  to  him]  What  matter  Zuleika? — My 
name  is  Anset. 

AIULENNU  [Pushing  her  aside]  Little  he  heedeth  thy 
name!  [She  puts  her  head  close  to  his]  Thou  shalt 
not  kiss  my  hair. 

JOSEPH   [Simply]     God  forbid! 

[ARILENNU  turns  away,  pouting] 

TAHERER.  Oh!  oh!  ...  Some  evil  thing  hath  flown 

into  mine  eye! [Putting  her  face  up  to  his]  I 

prithee,  gentle  shepherd,  pluck  it  out! 

NESTA  [To  her]  Here  is  the  mirror.  Pluck  it  out, 
thyself.  [To  JOSEPH]  Heigho!  I  am  glad  I  am  not 
thy  sister! 

JOSEPH  [Simply]  So  am  I.  [To  TAMAI,  who  has 
stood  apart,  in  mute  adoration]  Art  thou  hurt? 

TAMAI  [Gasping  with  happiness  at  being  spoken  to] 
Oh — !  It  is  nothing — my  lord! 

JOSEPH.     Give  me  thy  hand.     Let  me  see. 

TAMAI  [In  an  agony  of  shyness]     Nay,  it  is  nothing. 

MEHTU.     The  cunning  wretch! 

[All  the  girls  are  furious] 

JOSEPH  [Holding  TAMAI'S  hand]     How  came  this  cut? 
TAHERER.     Shall  we  tell  him? 

TAMAI  [Covering  her  face  with  her  hands,  in  a 
paroxysm  of  sobs]  Cruel!  Cruel! 

75 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

[The  girls  surround  JOSEPH,  a*  if  to  tell  him. 
Enter  ZULEIKA,  R.] 

ZULEIKA   [In  the  doorway]      Begone ! 
ALL  THE  GIRLS   [Starting  away]     Alas! 

[At  a  signal  from  WAKARA  they  go  out  R.  WAKARA 
follows  them] 

TAMAI  [Kissing  the  hand  JOSEPH  touched]  He  spake 
to  me!  He  touched  my  hand!  [.Exif] 

[A  pause.  JOSEPH  and  ZULEIKA  face  each  other. 
ZULEIKA  has  taken  off  her  crown.  Her  hair  falls 
almost  to  her  feet.  She  has  thrown  off  her  sur- 
coat  and  stands  in  a  long,  transparent  gown  of 
silver  tissue.  Around  her  waist  is  a  golden  belt 
heavily  studded  with  great  gems] 

ZULEIKA  [In  a  low,  musical  murmur]  What  seekest 
thou,  son  of  Jacob? 

JOSEPH.     Nay,  lady;  I  come  at  thy  bidding. 

ZULEIKA.  Three  moons  my  lord  hath  been  at  the 
wars,  and  thou  hast  avoided  my  presence.  Is  that  the 
deed  of  a  dutiful  servant? 

JOSEPH.     I  hold  it  so. 

ZULEIKA.  I  hold  it  not  so.  Why  hast  thou  avoided 
me? 

JOSEPH.  My  lord  made  me  overseer  of  his  house:  I 
rest  neither  by  day  nor  by  night. 

ZULEIKA  [Scornfully]  I  know  thy  zeal  for  thy  lord. 
I  ask  why  thou  scornest  me? 

JOSEPH.  I  hold  my  lord's  wife  in  highest  honour. 
Tell  me  now  what  thou  hadst  me  hither  to  tell  me. 

ZULEIKA.     Had  I  ought  to  tell  thee? 

JOSEPH.     Why  else  was  I  summoned? 

ZULEIKA.    I  know  not.    'Twas  nought. 
76 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

JOSEPH.     Ay of  the  plot  against  Pharaoh. 

ZULEIKA  [Contemptuously]  Oh,  that! — What  is  their 
Pharaoh  to  us? 

JOSEPH.  He  is  a  man:  therefore  his  life  must  be 
saved. 

ZULEIKA.     Is  a  man's  life  so  much  worth? 

JOSEPH.  And  Wakara  said  my  lord  Potiphar  was  in 
danger. 

ZULEIKA.    "Wakara  was  dreaming. 

JOSEPH.     Is  that  not  true?     Then  I  take  my  leave. 

ZULEIKA.  Wait.  There  was  another  matter.  But  I 
cannot  remember. 

JOSEPH.     My  lord's  return? 

ZULEIKA  [Indifferently]     Ay,  perchance. 

JOSEPH.     All  is  ready. 

ZULEIKA.  Ay — thou  hast  toiled  by  day  and  night. 
Take  this  ring  for  reward. 

JOSEPH    [Refusing  it]     I  need  no  reward. 

ZULEIKA.     So  proud  and  scornful — yet  a  slave? 

JOSEPH.  A  slave  only  till  to-morrow;  and  my  lord 
hath  made  the  slavery  light. 

ZULEIKA.  Oh,  but  I  have  pitied  thee!  For  I  am  in 
the  same  case. 

JOSEPH.     Thou! A  great  lord's  wife! 

ZULEIKA.     I  am  alone  in  a  strange  land;  as  thou  art. 

JOSEPH.     My  lord  will  be  here  at  dawn. 

ZULEIKA.     I  shall  still  be  alone. 

JOSEPH.     What  love  can  bring,  he  bringeth. 

ZULEIKA.     Ay — he!      [With  intention]      But  I? 

JOSEPH.  Why  did'st  thou  come,  if  thou  lovest  him 
not? 

ZULEIKA.  Did  I  come  of  mine  own  will?  Was  I  not 
sold  hither  by  my  kin — as  thou  wert?  I  tell  thee,  thou 
and  I  should  cling  together! 

77 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

JOSEPH.     Lord  Potiphar  is  kind. 

ZULEIKA.  Kind — kind — !  But  is  that  love?  Is  that 
freedom  ? 

JOSEPH.      He  hath  promised  me  freedom  to-morrow. 

ZULEIKA.     And  so  I  lose  the  only  friend 

JOSEPH.  I  should  have  remembered,  and  left  that 
unsaid. 

ZULEIKA  \Very  tenderly]  Thou  goest  hence  to  thy 
father  and  thy  mother;  to  Reuben  whom  thou  lovest — 
to  all  the  dear,  familiar  things  of  thy  childhood.  But  I 
abide  here;  a  loveless  wife,  rent  from  her  gods  and  her 
kin;  doomed  to  dwell  among  strange  faces  forever. 

JOSEPH   [Earnestly]      I  pity  thee. 

ZULEIKA.      Ah !      The   word   is    music   in   mine    ear ! 

Come  nearer nearer — give  me  thy  h.and — sit  beside 

me say  thou  pitiest  me  again.     Forget  thy  bondage. 

We  are  alone.     The  house  is  hushed.     Say,  Zuleika,  I 
pity  thee. 

JOSEPH  [Moved]     From  my  heart  I  pity  thee. 

ZULEIKA.     Nay,  but  speak  as  I  bade  thee. 

JOSEPH.     I  pity  thee,  Zuleika. 

ZULEIKA.  Ah!  My  name  on  thy  lips!  When  did  I 
last  hear  such  music? 

JOSEPH.  Now  let  me  go.  The  lilies  and  incense  stifle 
me. 

ZULEIKA  [Takes  the  cup  containing  the  philtre,  and 
bends  over  him]  A  cooling  draught— drink  to  thy  free- 
dom and  mine. 

JOSEPH  [Putting  it  gently  aside]  It  is  not  fitting 
the  slave  should  drink  with  his  mistress. 

ZULEIKA.     Drink !     Drink ! 

JOSEPH  [Gazing  at  her  half  in  fear]  Thy  body  bent 
over  me — !  Where  before  have  I  seen  such  sinuous 
grace  ? 

78 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

ZULEIKA.     Touch  the  cup  with  thy  lips- 


JOSEPH.     Away !     My  senses  reel  already ! 
[The  vessel  is  upset] 

ZULEIKA  [JVith  involuntary  violence]  Hapless  wretch! 
What  hast  thou  done? 

JOSEPH.     Forgive  me.     Farewell. 

ZULEIKA.  Nay,  I  am  not  angered.  Nay,  thou  shalt 
not  go.  Art  thou  not  in  some  sort  mine?  I  saved  thee 
from  horrible  death. 

JOSEPH.      I  have  not  forgotten. 

ZULEIKA.  I  fear  I  saved  thee  to  my  sorrow,  for  thou 
art  glad  of  thy  freedom.  Why  art  thou  so  glad? 

JOSEPH.     Is  not  every  man  glad  of  that? 

ZULEIKA.  But  thine  eyes  blaze  at  the  word ! 
[Fiercely]  Is  there  a  maid  who  waiteth  for  thee  in 
Shechem?  [She  clasps  her  hands  about  his  throat]  Lo! 
I  would  lock  my  fingers  about  her  throat  as  I  lock  them 
about  thine,  and  press  the  life  out  of  her ! 

JOSEPH.  The  clinging  touch  about  my  throat !  Where 
have  I  felt  it  before? 

ZULEIKA.  The  maid !  The  maid !  Tell  me  her  name, 
that  I  may  send  out  a  spell  and  wither  her ! 

JOSEPH.     There  is  no  such  maid  in  Shechem. 

ZULEIKA.  Why  should  I  heed  her?  Why  should  I 
be  glad  there  is  none?  Alas,  can'st  thou  not  guess  why? 
— Nay,  answer  not,  lest  thou  put  me  to  shame ! — Yet,  if 
no  maid  await  thee,  thou  knowest  not  love,  and  thou 
can'st  not  guess  half  my  sorrow  in  bondage. 

JOSEPH.    Wert  thou  torn  from  one  thou  lovest? 

ZULEIKA.     Nay — but  one  I  love  is  torn  from  me. 

JOSEPH.     That  is  a  riddle 

ZULEIKA  [She  is  now  in  his  arms  on  the  couch] 
Can'st  thou  not  read  the  riddle,  foolish  boy?  Oh,  see 

79 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

how  his  cheek  burns  with  anger,  when  I  call  him  foolish ! 
What?  Is  my  hair  hot  on  thy  face?  Sweep  it  back! 
Nay,  boldly !  Ho  !  Its  weight  bendeth  my  head. 

[She  twines  her  arms  about  his  neck  and  lays  her 
head  on  his  breast] 

JOSEPH.  It  gleams  and  glitters — where  else  have  I 
seen  that  glittering  gleam? 

ZULEIKA.     Look  into  mine  eyes. 

JOSEPH.  Thine  eyes !  Thine  eyes  !  Where  else  have 
I  seen  that  lambent  flame? 

ZULEIKA.  Thine  eyes  burn  into  mine.  [She  puts  both 
her  hands  over  his  eyes.  He  sinks  back]  I  veil  them 
with  my  cool  hands. 

JOSEPH.     That  touch — !     Where  else  have  I   felt  it? 

ZULEIKA.     Thy  lips  are  parched — 

JOSEPH.      I   thirst ! — I   thirst ! 

ZULEIKA.     Drink — beloved! 

[She  bends  over  him  and  kisses  him  long  on  the 
lips.  Suddenly,  with  a  cry  of  intense  horror,  he 
breaks  away  from  her] 

JOSEPH.  The  serpent's  kiss!  Hah!  Now  I  remem- 
ber !  Thy  sinuous  limbs — I  saw  them  in  the  well ! — Thy 
shimmering  hair — so  the  serpents  shone  as  they  writhed ! 
— Thy  flaming  eyes — so  theirs  flamed  in  the  darkness ! — 

Thy   fingers   about   my   throat so   they   coiled   about 

me! 

ZULEIKA  [Approaching  him,  amazed]  Beloved,  thou 
art  frenzied ! 

JOSEPH.  Ay — and  my  frenzy  hath  dragged  me  to 
shame !  How  can  I  do  this  great  wickedness,  and  sin 
against  God? 

80 


Courtesy  of  Litblcr  and  Company,  N.   Y. 

JOSEPH  AND  ZULEIKA 

Act  II— Scene  III 


V 


'•VIA,  ;., 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

ZULEIKA  [Violently,  seising  him  by  the  arm]     What 
is  thy  God  to  me  ?     I  cling  to  thee !     I  clutch  thee ! 
JOSEPH.     Farewell ! 

[He  dashes  out.  ZULEIKA  is  on  her  knees  clutching 
the  cloak  lie  has  left  in  her  hand.  After  a 
moment's  stupor  she  rises  to  her  full  height. 
She  raises  her  hands,  grasping  the  cloak  in  her 
left  hand  and  her  dagger  in  her  right,  to  the 
goddess] 

ZULEIKA.  Smite  him,  thou!  Slay  him!  Art  thou  a 
goddess  and  can'st  not  blast  him?  [With  a  sudden 
revulsion  she  clasps  the  cloak  to  her  breast]  Nay!  I 
love  thee!  I  love  thee!  [She  sinks  on  the  couch  in  a 
frenzy,  and  stabs  and  slashes  the  cloak  with  her  dag- 
ger] I  would  this  were  thy  heart !  I  would  I  had  let 

thee  rot  in  thy  well ! [Another  change]     Thy  lips! 

Thy  lips!      [She  presses   the  cloak   frantically   to  her 
lips] 

THE  SCENE   CHANGES 


81 


SCENE  IV 

THE   SAME   SETTING   AS   SCENE    I 
THE  CENTRAL  HALL  IN  POTIPHAR'S  HOUSE 

PERSONS 

Joseph  Zuleika 

Potiphar  Wakara 

Heru  Tamai 

Ani  Mehtu 

Tehuti  Anset 

Menthu  Arilennu 

Imhotep  Taherer 
Nesta 

SCENE  4 — The  same  setting  as  Scene  1 

Dawn.  Excited  turmoil  of  SLAVES,  etc.  The  speaJcers 
arrive  by  different  entrances  in  joyful  agitation;  but  the 
door  at  the  back  remains  shut.  Blare  of  trumpets. 
Confused  murmur,  as  of  a  great  crowd  without. 

HERU  [Entering]     The  people  rush  hither  to  see  him ! 
82 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

MEHTU  [Rushing  in  from  the  garden]  What  mean 
the  trumpets? 

AN i.      My  lord  returneth  in  triumph. 

TEHUTI.     Summon  your  mistress. 

ANSET.     What  is't?     What  is't? 

SEBNI.     Pharaoh  himself  went  forward  to  meet  him. 

ARILENNU.    My  lover  is  with  him ! 

TAHERER.     And  mine !     He  will  bring  gifts. 

SEBNI.     Where  is  my  lord  Joseph? 

NEST  A  [To  TAMAI,  who  comes  in  sadly]  Why  art 
thou  not  merry? 

ATHA.  Joseph  should  be  glad  to-day.  He  winneth 
his  freedom. 

TAMAI  [To  NESTA]  Those  ye  love  come;  he  I  love 
goeth. 

HERU.     Lo!     My  lord  Joseph! 

[Enter  JOSEPH,  richly  robed] 
JOSEPH.     Hail  your  lord! 

[Frantic  cries  of  joy  without.  Trumpets.  The 
characters  on  the  stage  arrange  themselves  to 
greet  POTIPHAR.  But  always  the  door  at  the 
back  is  left  conspicuous] 

[Enter  POTIPHAR,  in  his  war-dress.  Behind  him 
come  NOBLES,  SOLDIERS  and  LADIES.  A  great 
shout  goes  up  from  all  on  the  stage;  weapons  are 
brandished;  wild  enthusiasm.  JOSEPH  prostrates 
himself  before  POTIPHAR] 

POTIPHAR.  A  fair  greeting!  [He  raises  JOSEPH  and 
presses  him  to  his  heart]  Rise,  rise,  dear  youth.  [He 
looks  round,  amazed]  Zuleika? 

JOSEPH.     All  is  well  with  her,  my  lord. 

POTIPHAR   [Impatiently]      But  why  not  here? 
83 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

JOSEPH.     The  night  is  scarce  spent- 


POTIPHAR  [Amazed]  She  sleepeth — ?  [To  the 
maids]  Arouse  her. 

[TAMAI   goes    to   the   door   at   the    back;   tries   it; 
knocks;  leans  against  it,  listening.     Meanwhile] 

POTIPHAR.  Behold!  Joseph,  that  was  my  bondman, 
is  free.  If  he  will  abide  with  us,  I  will  raise  him  to 
great  honour !  but  if  not,  he  shall  go  hence,  burdened 
with  gifts.  [He  takes  off  his  golden  chain  and  puts  it 
on  JOSEPH'S  neck]  And,  for  a  beginning,  wear  this 
chain  for  my  sake. 

JOSEPH.  My  gracious  lord — !  Ha!  the  chain  is  a 
token  of  freedom ! 

POTIPHAR  [Turning  to  TAMAI,  impatiently]  Well? 
Well?— Zuleika? 

TAMAI.  The  door  is  fast,  my  lord.  There  is  a  noise 
of  weeping  within — 

POTIPHAR.  Of  weeping? — Joseph — !  Fear  grippeth 
my  heart!  [To  TAMAI]  Knock  loudly. 

[TAMAI  beats  against  the  door.     Then  listens.     All 
are  intently  watching  the  door] 

TAMAI.     I  hear  the  rustle  of  her  robes 

POTIPHAR  [Advancing  one  step  towards  the  door] 
Zuleika— ! 

[The  door  slowly  opens.  ZULEIKA  crouches  in  the 
embrasure.  She  has  covered  herself  from  head 
to  foot  in  a  black  veil  under  which  her  silver 
dress  gleams.  Her  hair  falls  disordered  about 
her.  Her  face  is  very  white.  She  brings 
JOSEPH'S  cloak  in  her  hand.  Her  arms  are  bare, 
she  has  stripped  off  all  her  jewels.  A  gasp  of 
84 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

amazement    and    foreboding    goes    up    from    the 
CROWD] 

POTIPHAR  [Voiceless,  staggering  towards  her] 
Zuleika ! 

ZULEIKA  [In  dull,  hollow  tones]  Come  no  nearer — 
touch  me  not — till  thou  hast  avenged 

ALL  [Amazed,  in  a  whisper]     Avenged — ? 

[JOSEPH  is  as  much  amazed  as  the  others] 

POTIPHAR  [Creeping  towards  her;  in  a  whisper] 
Whatis't?  [Then,  fiercely]  What  is't? 

ZULEIKA  [With  her  eyes  fixed  on  JOSEPH]  The  He- 
brew servant 

POTIPHAR  [As  if  he  had  received  a  blow]     Joseph — ! 

[JOSEPH  starts,  but  at  once  masters  himself] 

ZULEIKA  [Continuing]  Came  in  unto  me  to  mock 
me 

POTIPHAR  [Turns,  leaps  with  a  murderous  face  to- 
wards JOSEPH;  some  of  the  bystanders  try  to  restrain 
him;  in  a  horrible  voice]  Hold  me  not!  [He  stops 
short]  Nay — too  swift — too  gentle!  [He  watches 
JOSEPH,  who  stands  perfectly  still,  like  a  crouching 
tiger,  and  speaks  without  taking  his  eyes  off  him] 
Speak,  woman!— Tell  all!  Tell  all! 

ZULEIKA.  I  lifted  up  my  voice  and  cried,  and  he  fled 
and  got  him  away — 

POTIPHAR  [In  a  low  growl]  He  fled  and  got  him 
away —  [Violently]  Is  it  true?  Is  it  true? 

ZULEIKA.  He  left  his  garment  with  me.  Know  now, 
whether  it  be  his  or  no. 

[She  has  come  down  in   front  of  POTIPHAR.     She 
flings  the  cloak  at  his  feet.     With  a  cry  of  rage 
he  crushes  it  under  foot] 
85 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

POTIPHAR.     Strip  him! 

[HERU  and  ANI  tear  off  JOSEPH'S  robe.  He  is 
dressed  in  a  long,  white  gown] 

[POTIPHAR  comes  up  to  him,  wrenches  the  chain 
from  his  neck,  and,  with  the  broken  ends,  lashes 
him  across  the  face.  Shudder  among  the  CROWD. 
TAMAI  gives  a  great  cry,  and  sinks  sobbing  to 
her  knees.  JOSEPH  stands  quite  passive.  ZULEIKA 
watches  with  a  smile] 

POTIPHAR.  Away  with  the  cur!  Lest  I  defile  my 
hands ! 

[JOSEPH  is  hurried  out;  the  men  in  the  crowd  spit 
on  him  as  he  passes] 

POTIPHAR  [To  ZULEIKA,  but  without  looking  at  her; 
in  a  voice  of  horrible  anticipation]  Thou — thou — is 
there  more? 

ZULEIKA  [With  a  magnificent  gesture,  displaying  the 
dagger  in  her  hand]  Should  I  be  on  life? 

POTIPHAR  [With  a  great  cry  of  joy]  Zuleika!  [He 
falls  at  her  feet,  and  kisses  the  hem  of  her  gown] 

CURTAIN 


86 


ACT    III 

THE    DREAMS 

GENESIS  XXXIX;  XL;  XLI 

SCENE    I 
IN    THE    PRISON 


PERSONS 

Enenkhet,  Captain  of  the  Prison 

Imhotep 

Serseru 

An  Officer 

A  Soldier 

Joseph 

Zuleika 

Asenath 

Soldiers 


ACT  III 

SCENE  1 — The  Yard  of  the  Prison 

It  is  an  angular  space,  carved  out  of  the  face  of  a 
lofty  sandstone  cliff,  the  top  of  which  is  out  of  sight. 
The  three  cells  are  cut  in  the  cliff  itself  and  are  closed 
by  heavy  bronze  doors.  On  the  right,  where  the  cliff 
leaves  off,  the  yard  is  protected  by  a  lofty  wall  built  of 
massive  blocks  of  stone.  In  this  is  a  lofty  but  very 
narrow  door.  Beyond  the  wall  nothing  but  sky  is 
visible.  The  whole  face  of  the  cliff  has  been  carved 
with  elaborate  hieroglyphics.  In  the  pavement  of  the 
yard  there  is  a  movable  stone,  the  entrance  to  an  under- 
ground dungeon. 

It  is  toward  sunset,  and  during  the  scene  the  light 
changes,  creeping  up  the  face  of  the  cliff,  through  all 
the  marvelous  gradations  of  an  Eastern  afterglow,  and 
merging  ultimately  into  soft  but  brilliant  moonlight. 

At  the  rise  of  the  curtain  a  soldier  is  leaning  on  his 
spear,  crooning  a  love-song.  The  door  in  the  wall  opens 
and  enter  the  CAPTAIN  of  the  PRISON,  ENENKHET — a 
stout,  good-natured  person.  He  leaves  the  door  open. 

ENENKHET.     Is  all  well  with  the  prisoners? 

SOLDIER.  Ay,  captain.  Though  the  Lord  Serseru 
hath  howled  all  day  like  a  dog. 

ENENKHET.  Ha!  The  Lord  Chief  Baker  hath  a 
soured  and  discontented  nature. 

89 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

SOLDIER.  The  Lord  Imhotep  hath  called  on  the 
names  of  his  wife  and  children. 

ENENKHET.  Few  men  know  when  they're  best  off. 
How  many  there  be  who  would  gladly  be  shut  away  for 
a  space  from  domestic  plagues  ! — Well,  and  the  Hebrew  ? 

SOLDIER.     He  hath  sung  of  the  glory  of  his  God. 

ENENKHET.  There's  a  man  after  my  own  heart.  Get 
thee  to  the  outer  post:  I  will  have  speech  with  the 
prisoners. 

[The  soldier  exit,  R.  ENENKHET  unbolts  the 
doors  of  the  cells,  stands  in  the  centre  of  the 
stage  facing  the  cliff  and  cries] 

ENENKHET.  Sons  of  mischance,  come  forth!  The 
hour  is  toward  sunset.  Come  forth  and  breathe  the  cool 
of  the  evening. 

[The  door  of  one  of  the  cells  slides  back,  and 
SERSERU  emerges.  He  is  a  pitiable  object.  His 
flesh  hangs  loosely  about  him;  his  hair  is  long  and 
tangled;  his  beard  is  wild;  his  clothes  are  in  rags. 
He  is  heavily  chained] 

SERSERU.  At  last !  At  last ! — Oh,  the  horror  of  that 
black  hole! 

ENENKHET.  Thou  art  hard  to  please.  Greater 
rogues  than  thou  have  lived  in  it — ay,  and  died  in  it. 

SERSERU.  That  is  why  it  is  full  of  disquieting 
dreams. 

ENENKHET.  Well,  now,  I  should  have  thought  they 
would  have  helped  to  pass  the  time. 

[The    next   cell   has   opened   and   IMHOTEP   issues. 
He,   too,   is  in  rags,  but   preserves   his  personal 
dignity.     He,  too,  wears  chains] 
90 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

IMHOTEP.     Why  will  ye  not  let  me  die  in  peace? 

ENENKHET.  Here,  my  lord?  Where  none  could  be 
witness?  Would  you  cheat  the  people  of  a  holiday? 

IMHOTEP.  What  have  I  done,  that  I  should  be  torn 
from  my  wife  and  children  and  put  away  in  this  foul 
den? 

ENENKHET.     That  is  for  the  judge  to  say. 

IMHOTEP.  There  was  no  poison  in  the  cup  I  drank 
from. 

ENENKHET.  But  when  Pharaoh  handed  the  cup  to 
his  physician — having  been  warned 

SERSERU.     Who  warned  him?     Who  warned  him? 

ENENKHET.     Then  the  cup  was  full  of  poison. 

IMHOTEP  [Furiously,  to  SERSERU]  Thou  had'st  the 
cup  after  me! 

SERSERU.  Thou  liest!  I  touched  it  not.  My  sleeve 
brushed  against  it. 

IMHOTEP.     Thy  sleeve  was  poisoned! 

SERSERU.    Would  I  could  crush  thee  with  these  chains ! 

ENENKHET.  Sirs,  sirs,  this  is  unseemly.  What! 
Great  lords  wrangling !  Fie,  sirs,  ye  shall  back  to  your 
cells. 

SERSERU  [With  abject  horror]     Not  to  those  dreams! 

IMHOTEP.  Not  to  that  darkness!  It  is  peopled  with 
visions. 

ENENKHET  [Cheerily]  Folks  do  say  men  see  visions 
when  they  are  about  to  die. 

[The  third  cell  opens,  and  JOSEPH  appears  on  the 
threshold.  He  wears  a  tunic  of  camel' s-hair, 
and  is  girdled  with  a  rope.  He  is  not  chained] 

JOSEPH  [With  uplifted  arms]  I  praise  God  for  the 
light.  I  praise  God  for  the  sweet  air.  I  praise  God  for 
His  mercies! 

91 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

ENENKHET.  Now,  that's  talking!  Why  cannot  ye  be 
content  as  he  is? 

[SERSERU  and  IMHOTEP  have  sought  remote  parts 
of  the  yard  and  are  sitting  gloomily  buried  in 
thought] 

JOSEPH.  I  thank  thee,  good  Captain,  for  thy  merci- 
ful dealing. 

ENENKHET.     Heh !     I  have  a  tender  heart. 

JOSEPH  [To  IMHOTEP]  Friend,  look  how  the  cliff  is 
transfigured  in  the  sunset ! 

IMHOTEP.     Let  me  be. 

JOSEPH.     How  is  it  with  thee,  Lord  Serseru? 

SERSERU.      Curse  thee  for  asking. 

JOSEPH   [To  ENENKHET]      What  aileth  them? 

ENENKHET.     Nothing.     Bad  dreams  at  the  most. 

JOSEPH  [To  IMHOTEP,  very  gently]  Wherefore  look 
ye  so  sadly  to-day? 

IMHOTEP.  I  have  dreamed  a  dream,  and  there  is  no 
interpreter  of  it. 

JOSEPH.  Do  not  interpretations  belong  to  God  ?  Tell 
me  thy  dream,  I  pray  thee. 

IMHOTEP.  In  my  dream,  behold,  a  vine  was  before 
me;  and  in  the  vine  were  three  branches:  and  it  was  as 
though  it  budded,  and  her  blossoms  shot  forth;  and  the 
clusters  thereof  brought  forth  ripe  grapes:  and  Pha- 
raoh's cup  was  in  my  hand;  and  I  took  the  grapes,  and 
pressed  them  into  Pharaoh's  cup,  and  I  gave  the  cup  into 
Pharaoh's  hand. 

ENENKHET  [To  JOSEPH]  Make  what  thou  can'st  of 
that! 

[JOSEPH  stands  a  moment  in  the  attitude  of  prayer. 
Then   a   shudder   seems    to    shake    himf   and   he 
speaks  as  one  in  a  trance] 
92 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

JOSEPH.  This  is  the  interpretation  of  it:  The 
branches  are  three  days:  yet  within  three  days  shall 
Pharaoh  lift  up  thine  head,  and  restore  thee  unto  thy 
place:  and  thou  shalt  deliver  Pharaoh's  cup  into  his 
hand  after  the  former  manner  when  thou  wast  his  butler. 

IMHOTEP  [Falling  at  JOSEPH'S  feet]  Oh,  friend,  thou 
hast  filled  my  heart  with  joy! 

JOSEPH.  But  think  on  me  when  it  shall  be  well  with 
thee,  and  show  kindness,  I  pray  thee,  unto  me,  and  make 
mention  of  me  unto  Pharaoh,  and  bring  me  out  of  this 
house:  for  indeed  I  was  stolen  away  out  of  the  land  of 
the  Hebrews;  and  here  also  I  have  done  nothing  that 
they  should  put  me  into  the  dungeon. 

IMHOTEP.  By  thy  God  and  my  gods  I  swear,  not  a 
day  shall  pass,  but  I  will  have  thee  forth  with  great 
honour. 

JOSEPH  [Gravely]     Remember  that. 

ENENKHET  [To  JOSEPH]  I  shall  grieve  for  the  loss 
of  thee. 

[SERSERU  has  listened  intently  and  has  crept  up  to 
JOSEPH.  He  plucks  JOSEPH'S  tunic ,  and  speaks 
with  unctuous  humility] 

SERSERU.  My  lord — the  interpretation  was  good — I 
also  have  dreamed — give  me  comfort. 

JOSEPH  [Sternly]  Conscience  alone  can  give  com- 
fort; but  speak. 

SERSERU.  I  also  was  in  my  dream,  and,  behold,  I 
had  three  white  baskets  on  my  head;  and  in  the  upper- 
most basket  there  was  all  manner  of  bakemeats  for 
Pharaoh;  and  the  birds  did  eat  them  out  of  the  basket 
upon  my  head. 

[ENENKHET  is  about  to  speak,  but  JOSEPH  restrains 
him  with  a  stern  gesture] 
93 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

JOSEPH  [Gravely]  This  is  the  interpretation  thereof: 
The  three  baskets  are  three  days.  Yet  within  three  days 
shall  Pharaoh  lift  up  thine  head  from  off  thee,  and 
shall  hang  thee  on  a  tree;  and  the  birds  shall  eat  thy 
flesh  from  off  thee. 

SERSERU  [Furious,  foaming  at  the  mouth,  tries  to 
strike  JOSEPH  with  his  manacles]  Base  Hebrew,  thou 
liest ! 

ENENKHET  [Seizing  him]     Hold!     Hold! 

JOSEPH.     Let  be! — He  knoweth  well   I   speak  truth. 

SERSERU  [With  a  wild  laugh}  Why  should  I  heed  his 
idle  talk?  What  knoweth  he,  more  than  I  know? 

JOSEPH   [Sternly]     Is  not  that  enough? 

SERSERU.  We  shall  see! — We  shall  see!  [With  his 
fists  close  to  JOSEPH'S  face]  And  when  I  am  restored  to 
my  place,  it  is  thou  shalt  hang ! 

[A  trumpet  sounds  without,  R.] 
ENENKHET.     Hark — ! 

[The  door  R.  opens.  Enter  SOLDIERS,  led  by  an 
OFFICER,  who  brings  a  clay  letter  which  he  hands 
to  ENENKHET] 

OFFICER.     From  the  King  of  Kings! 

ENENKHET  [Saluting]  May  the  King  live  forever. 
[He  glances  at  the  letter  and  points  to  IMHOTEP  and 
SERSERU]  These  be  the  twain. 

IMHOTEP.     Captain,  what  is't? 

ENENKHET.  Ye  go  to  the  King's  palace  for  your 
trial. 

IMHOTEP  [With  joy]  At  last!  The  truth  shall  shine 
forth ! 

SERSERU  [Wildly]  I  will  not  go!  I  will  die  here! — 
I  will  die !  [He  rushes  into  his  cell  and  tries  to  close 
the  door] 

94 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

ENENKHET.     Drag  him  forth,  and  away  with  him! 

JOSEPH   [To  ENENKHET]      Is  there  no  word  for  me? 

ENENKHET.  Nay,  I  thank  the  gods  thou  art  left  to 
me.  [To  IMHOTEP,  who  is  being  led  off]  Farewell. 
Good  fortune  attend  thee. 

JOSEPH  [At  the  door,  to  IMHOTEP]      Remember — ! 

IMHOTEP  [Embracing  him]  If  I  forget,  may  the 
gods  do  so  to  me,  and  more  also! 

[The  soldiers  take  him  out,  R.     The  door  is  closed] 

JOSEPH  [Looking  after  them]  So  they  go — the  one 
to  freedom,  and  high  honour;  the  other  to  a  shameful 
death! — and  I  almost  wish  I  were  either  of  them! 

ENENKHET.  No  thought  of  me,  as  usual.  Do  not  I 
love  thee?  Have  I  not  been  a  kind  taskmaster?  Yea! 
Beyond  my  duty.  For  I  was  bidden  to  throw  thee  into 
our  nethermost  dungeon — [Stamps  on  the  stone]  here! 
And  daily  the  Lady  Zuleika  cometh  to  ask  whether  thou 
be  dead.  But  I  have  kept  thee  warm,  and  dry,  and  fed 
thee,  and  loved  thee,  and  all  the  thanks  I  get 

JOSEPH  [Putting  his  arm  around  ENENKHET'S  shoul- 
der] Forgive  me,  friend.  What  thou  could'st  thou  hast 
done.  And  I  will  do  so  to  thee  and  more  also  when  I 
am  freed.  But  thou  can'st  not  give  me  freedom  nor 
the  sight  of  my  love. 

ENENKHET.  Who  knoweth?  If  thou  wert  not  so 
ungrateful,  who  knoweth  what  I  might  do? 

JOSEPH  [Eagerly]  Thou  would'st  let  me  see  Ase- 
nath?  Speak  with  her? 

ENENKHET.  I  said  not  I  would.  I  said,  who 
knoweth 

JOSEPH  [Excitedly;  coaxing  ENENKHET]  Thou 
golden  gaoler — !  Thou — what  shall  I  call  thee? 

ENENKHET.     Call  me  friend — 
95 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

JOSEPH.      Friend!     Friend! — when  shall   I    see  her? 
ENENKHET  [Sulkily]    Thou  art  not  thinking  of  me  at 

all ;  but  of  this  bit  of  a  girl 

ASENATH'S  VOICE   [Without,  R.,  singing]  — 
In  the  desert  places  I  sought  my  love, 
When  I  was  alone  with  the  night, 
JOSEPH.    Asenath ! 

ASENATH 

The  frowning  rocks  cried,  He  seeth  thee  not — 

The  waste  of  sand  sighed,  He  heareth  thee  not — 

But  I  took  no  heed. 

Rocks,  I  answered,  He  heareth  my  voice — 

Desert,  he  knoweth  I  remember — 

And  that  shall  gladden  his  heart! 

JOSEPH  [Through  her  song]  She  hath  come — !  Ah! 
but  the  locked  door ! — Ah !  but  the  cruel  wall ! 

ENENKHET.     I  knew  she  was  coming 

JOSEPH.  She  is  within  arm's  length — and  I  cannot 
reach  out  my  hand  to  touch  her — !  I  can  say  no  word  to 
comfort  her ! 

ENENKHET.  Thou  can'st  not  go  forth  to  her — but 
what  if  she  came  to  thee? 

JOSEPH  [Taking  him  by  the  shoulder;  wildly  excited] 
Would' st  thou  do  this? 

ENENKHET.  I  am  a  fool,  but  I  love  thee.  I  believe 
thee  guiltless.  And,  then,  I  was  young  once  and  I 
know  how  I  should  have  felt,  had  I  been  locked  from 
the  girl  I  loved.  Well,  we're  married,  and  there  are 
fourteen  children [During  this  speech  he  has  un- 
locked the  door,  R.  He  peers  out]  Hist ! — into  the 
shadow — here  cometh  the  guard ! 

[By  this  time  night  has  fallen.     The  afterglow  has 
crept  to  the  summit  of  the  cliff,  the  level  of  the 
96 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

stage  is  almost  pitch  dark.  JOSEPH  gets  into  the 
remotest  corner.  As  ENENKHET  opens  the  door, 
R.,  wide,  the  SOLDIER  appears  without] 

SOLDIER.     Is  all  well? 

ENENKHET.     All    is   well.      Pass   on.      [The   soldier 
passes  on.     ENENKHET   turns   to   JOSEPH]      Lie  close! 
She  cometh.     I  leave  the  door  ajar.     [He  slips  out} 
ASENATH'S  VOICE    [Singing]  — 

Beloved^  what  though  I  seek  in  vain, 
Thou  knowest 

[The  VOICE  ceases  abruptly.  The  figure  of  a 
WOMAN,  covered  from  head  to  foot  in  a  purple 
veil,  appears  in  the  doorway.  The  scene  is 
flooded  with  soft  moonlight,  so  that  it  is  nearly 
as  light  as  day] 

JOSEPH  [Coming  slowly  forward]  Thou — !  Thou — ! 
Asenath !  I  dare  scarce  move,  lest  the  vision  van- 
ish— !  Is  it  thou? — Dare  I  think  it? — Thou  knowest 
me  guiltless  ?  Speak !  Speak !  [She  stretches  her  arms 
out  towards  him;  he  hurries  to  her  and  sinks  at  her  feet. 
At  the  same  moment  another  figure,  swathed  in  a  black 
veil,  appears  within  the  door]  I  love  thee!  I  worship 
thee !  What  other  woman  could  have  power  over  me  ?  I 
clasp  thy  knees !  I  have  longed  for  thee,  day  and 
night!  Ah!  touch  me!  Draw  me  up  to  thee!  [She 
does  so]  Nearer  to  thy  heart!  Nearer  to  thy  lips! 
The  lips  I  have  thirsted  for! 

THE  FIGURE  IN  THE  DOOR  [With  a  wailing  cry]  Oh 
me — !  [She  vanishes] 

JOSEPH  [Startled,  holding  the  figure  at  arm's  length] 
Who  spake  ? — Asenath's  voice — not  thine ! — What  double 
vision  is  this?  [With  a  horrible  suspicion]  Who  art 

97 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

thou?  Who  art  thou?  [He  tears  the  purple  veil  away — 
ZULEIKA  stands  before  him,  menacing,  terrible,  clad  in 
scarlet  silk  from  head  to  foot,  a  golden  serpent  crowning 
her  loose  hair;  he  starts  away  with  a  cry  of  horror] 
Zuleika ! 

ZULEIKA  [Begins  very  quietly,  but  very  intensely] 
Fool !  Did'st  thou  think  a  woman  scorned  was  so  easily 
appeased?  Did'st  thou  think  thy  freedom,  or  thy  life, 
was  enough  to  atone?  Thy  life  is  nothing — thy  free- 
dom is  nothing.  Here  thou  shalt  rot,  knowing  Asenath 
thinks  thee  a  traitor,  and  knowing  her  misery.  Here 
thou  shalt  eat  thy  heart  out,  knowing  Asenath  is  the 
plaything  of  my  hate !  And  when  I  choose  to  free  thee, 
thou  shalt  come  forth,  a  broken  man,  to  find  Asenath 
dead! 

JOSEPH.  Thinkest  thou  the  Living  God  hath  given 
such  power  into  thine  hands?  Thou  can'st  torture  me 
to-day  and  to-morrow.  Thou  can'st  torture  Asenath  to- 
day and  to-morrow.  [Terrible]  But  what  of  the  next 
day?  God  is  very  patient;  but  when  He  moveth  His 
finger  thou  shalt  be  withered  as  a  leaf  in  the  drought ! — 
I  scorn  thee  not;  I  fear  thee  not! — I — pity  thee! 

ZULEIKA.     Ho !     Guard ! 

[Enter  ENENKHET  and  SOLDIERS] 

ENENKHET  [Amazed]  The  lady  Zuleika — !  [He 
throws  himself  at  her  feet] 

ZULEIKA  [To  the  soldiers]     Lift  the  stone — ! 

[Passing  two  spears  through  the  ring  of  the  stone 
four  SOLDIERS  lift  it  with  great  difficulty] 

ZULEIKA  [To  ENENKHET]  Who  bade  thee  give  the 
slave  his  freedom  ? — Into  the  nethermost  pit  with  him  or 
Pharaoh  shall  hear  of  it! 

98 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

[Two  soldiers  seize  JOSEPH  and  lead  him  towards 
the  hole] 

ZULEIKA.     Hah!     Joseph!     Call  upon  thy  God! 
JOSEPH.     He  is  with  me! 

THE  SCENE  CHANGES 


99 


SCENE   II 
IN   THE    PALACE 

PERSONS 
Pharaoh   (Usertesen  I.)  1st  Physician 

Imhotep  2d  Physician 

Tehuti  Pesbes,  a  Dwarf 

Enenkhet  Joseph 

Menthu  Zuleika 

Dedefre,  a  Noble                        Asenath 

Atha  Shepset 

Iri,  a  Soothsayer  Ansu,  a  Magician 

Khenen 

Nobles,      Warriors,     Priests,     Soothsayers,     Magicians, 
Ladies,  Procession  of  Maidens,  People,  Slaves. 

SCENE  2 — The  Great  Hall  in  Pharaoh's  Palace 

A  forest  of  huge  columns,  lotus-shaped,  and  towering 
almost  out  of  sight,  supports  the  roof,  which  is  made  of 

100 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

mighty  slabs  of  stone  laid  flat  from  column  to  column. 
The  central  aisle  is  open  at  the  back,  and  beyond  it  is 
a  long  avenue  of  sphinxes  facing  each  other,  and  ending 
in  a  great  temple.  The  side  aisles  seem  protracted  end- 
lessly, and  the  light  under  them  gets  dimmer  as  the 
distance  increases,  until  it  finally  becomes  a  greenish 
mystery. 

On  the  left,  in  front,  Pharaoh's  throne  is  raised  upon 
a  platform  to  which  seven  steps  ascend. 

The  columns  are  covered  with  hieroglyphics  in  bright 
colours.  The  floor  is  hidden  under  rich  carpets  and 
rugs.  There  are  incense-burners  at  the  foot  of  every 
pillar. 

The  light  at  the  back,  outside  the  hall,  is  dazzling 
white.  The  central  aisle  is  full  of  rich  amber  sunlight; 
the  side  aisles  are  in  shadow.  Outside  the  hall  there  is 
a  constant  passing  to  and  fro  of  the  traffic  of  a  city. 
Now  a  noble  rides  up  on  a  charger,  followed  by  his 
slaves,  mho  help  him  to  dismount,  and  he  enters  the 
hall;  then  a  richly  clad  LADY  is  led  on  in  a  chariot  drawn 
by  horses,  and  as  she  descends  an  admiring  CROWD 
gathers  round  her.  Presently  a  procession  of  PRIESTS 
moves  by,  chanting.  A  CHIEFTAIN  from  a  distant  prov- 
ince rides  up  on  a  camel,  followed  by  his  bodyguard  of 
armed  RETAINERS. 

Within  the  hall  NOBLES  and  LADIES  are  assembled. 
Some  are  moving  about;  some  seated  on  low  chairs;  some 
are  playing  dice;  some  are  obviously  flirting. 

There  is  a  continuous  sound  of  vague  music  through- 
out the  act. 

SHEPSET.  How  fareth  great  Usertesen,  the  Pharaoh, 
to-day  ? 

DEDEFRE.     His  brow  hangeth  heavy. 
101 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

SHEPSET.     Shall  we  see  him? 

DEDEFRE.  Ay,  anon.  He  cometh  to  receive  the  inter- 
pretation of  his  dreams  from  the  priests. 

KHENEN.     How  fareth  the  King's  little  son? 

DEDEFRE.  I  know  not;  but  the  Queen,  they  say,  is 
nigh  her  hour. 

ATHA.  The  gods  have  turned  their  faces  from 
Egypt. 

SHEPSET  [Seeing  PRIESTS  passing  in  procession  at  the 
back]  The  priests — !  Are  they  about  to  offer  sacrifices 
for  the  Queen? 

ATHA.  Nay,  lady  Shepset;  know  ye  not?  To-day 
is  solemn  festival  yonder  [Pointing  to  temple  at  the 
back]  in  the  temple  of  Neith. 

SHEPSET.    What  festival? 

ATHA.  Asenath,  the  high-priest's  daughter,  enters  the 
sisterhood  of  the  goddess. 

KHENEN.  Ay — ay — I  heard  she  had  some  disap- 
pointment in  love. 

DEDEFRE.    She  was  to  have  wed  Serseru. 

ATHA.     But  he  was  hanged. 

DEDEFRE.     Ay,  but  that  was  not  the  disappointment. 

KHENEN  [Striking  him  with  her  fan]  What  then, 
thou  malicious  gossip? 

ATHA.  She  was  in  love  with  some  stranger — they  do 
say  he  was  a  slave. 

SHEPSET.     Fie!  Fie! 

ATHA.     But  he  died  in  prison. 

KHENEN  [With  a  sneer]  Poor  Asenath  is  not  for- 
tunate in  her  lovers. 

SHEPSET.     I  suppose  we  get  the  lovers  we  deserve. 

KHENEN.  Is  that  brawny  Ethiopian  still  of  thy 
household  ? 

SHEPSET.    Ay.     Would'st  thou  buy  him? 
102 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

[Meanwhile  the  hall  has  gradually  filled  with 
PRIESTS,  MAGICIANS,  SOOTHSAYERS,  NOBLES  and 
LADIES] 

[Enter  TEHUTI,  R.,  in  robes  of  state,  preceded  by 
four  TRUMPETERS] 

DEDEFRE.     Lo!     Tehuti!     Pharaoh  approachetti. 

[As  the  TRUMPETERS  reach  the  inner  aisle,  they 
blow  a  long  flourish.  [In  unison]  The  CROWD 
fall  into  a  sort  of  rough  order] 

TEHUTI.  Behold,  Usertesen,  the  Pharaoh,  King  of 
the  South,  King  of  the  North,  King  of  Kings,  draweth 
near.  On  your  faces  all!  Hail  the  King! 

[Meanwhile  a  band  of  SOLDIERS  has  marched  across 
the  stage  in  quick  time  and  taken  up  a  position 
behind  the  throne] 

[Now  PHARAOH  enters;  an  imposing,  awe-striking 
figure.  NOBLES  follow  him;  two  with  great  palm- 
fans.  He  strides  majestically  up  the  steps  of 
the  throne,  taking  no  notice  of  the  CROWD.  He 
sits  on  the  throne.  His  hands  rest  on  his  knees; 
his  face  is  set;  he  looks  straight  before  him. 
Meanwhile  the  crowd  murmurs  with  a  sort  of 
subdued  awe] 

CROWD.  Long  life  to  Pharaoh!  Hail,  Pharaoh! — 
May  the  King  live  forever! 

[As  soon  as  PHARAOH  is  seated  the  CROWD  rises, 
and  quietly  sorts  itself  out  into  its  component 
parts,  so  that  for  a  moment  the  stage  is  a  be- 
wildering kaleidoscope.  Then  the  PRIESTS,  the 
MAGICIANS,  the  SOOTHSAYERS,  the  SOLDIERS,  the 
NOBLES,  the  LADIES,  etc.,  are  in  separate  groups. 
103 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

PESBES,  the  DWARF,  comes  and  sits  on  the  lowest 
step  of  the  throne.  The  NOBLES  who  came  in 
with  PHARAOH  are  in  a  small  knot  immediately 
on  the  left  of  the  throne.  Among  these  is  IMHO- 
TEP.  Behind  him  are  four  young  SLAVES,  one 
with  a  basket  of  grapes,  one  with  a  golden  cup, 
one  with  a  golden  dish,  and  one  with  a  napkin] 

[Great  painted  curtains  are  drawn  at  the  back  so 
that  the  hall  is  enclosed] 

[When  the  CROWD  is  in  order,  there  is  a  moment  of 
solemn  pause,  while  all  eyes  are  turned  on 
PHARAOH] 

PHARAOH  [Without  moving]     Tehuti. 

[TEHUTI  steps  forward  and  prostrates  himself] 

PHARAOH.  My  soul  is  heavy.  [Movement  among  the 
CROWD]  Are  the  priests  and  sages  here  as  I  com- 
manded ? 

TEHUTI.     O,  King,  they  await  thy  word. 

PHARAOH.     Let  the  priests  send  their  spokesman. 

[TEHUTI  crosses  slowly  to  the  group  of  PRIESTS] 
PHARAOH.     I  thirst. 

[IMHOTEP  steps  forward.  The  four  young  SLAVES 
follow  him  and  kneel.  Standing  in  front  of  the 
throne,  IMHOTEP  takes  a  large  bunch  of  grapes 
in  both  hands  and  presses  its  juice  into  the 
golden  cup,  which  the  other  slave  holds  aloft. 
IMHOTEP  throws  the  skins  into  a  golden  dish 
brought  by  the  third  slave,  and  dries  his  hands 
on  the  napkin  brought  by  the  fourth  slave.  The 
SLAVES  retire.  IMHOTEP  takes  the  cup  in  both 
hands,  faces  PHARAOH,  and  sets  the  cup  to  his 
104 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

lips.  Then  he  goes  up  the  steps  and  places  the 
cup  in  PHARAOH'S  hands.  PHARAOH  drinks, 
hands  the  cup  back  to  IMHOTEP,  who  retires, 
backward,  to  his  place,  where  he  returns  the  cup 
to  the  cup-bearer] 

TEHUTI.  Will  it  please  the  King  to  hear  Menthu, 
the  high-priest  of  Neith? 

[PHARAOH  makes  a  gesture  of  assent.  MENTHU 
steps  forward] 

PHARAOH.  Thou,  too,  art  in  sorrow  to-day,  for  thou 
losest  thy  daughter,  Asenath. 

MENTHU.  The  great  goddess,  Neith,  will  reward  me 
tenfold. 

PHARAOH  [With  a  touch  of  contempt]  Well — !  Thou 
and  the  others,  have  ye  besought  the  gods?  Have  ye 
searched  your  books  ?  Have  ye  prayed  and  offered 
sacrifice  ? 

MENTHU.     All  these  things  have  we  done. 

PHARAOH.  My  dreams,  then?  What  is  the  inter- 
pretation thereof?  He  who  can  interpret  the  meaning 
of  them  shall  have  his  wishes  granted  as  they  issue  from 
his  lips.  [Movement  in  the  CROWD]  But  he  who  is 
able  to  read  dreams  and  neglects  my  bidding  shall 
surely  die.  [Movement]  Speak,  Priest  of  Neith. 

[The  CROWD  instinctively  presses  forward  almost 
imperceptibly  to  hear] 

MENTHU.  This  is  the  interpretation.  Seven  Kings 
shall  arise  over  Egypt,  and  seven  princes  shall  destroy 
the  seven  Kings 

[While  he  is  speaking  a  murmur  goes  up  from  the 
MAGICIANS     and     SOOTHSAYERS,     implying     that 
MENTHU'S  interpretation  is  hopelessly  wrong] 
105 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

PHARAOH.  Wherefore  do  ye  murmur?  Ansu,  the 
magician,  speak! 

[ANSU  comes  forward.     He  carries  a  long  wand] 

MENTHU   [Furious]     Am  I  dismissed,  O  King? 

PHARAOH.  I  think  Pesbes,  the  dwarf,  would  have 
spoken  better  sense. 

PESBES  [With  a  cackling  laugh]  Or  had  the  sense 
to  hold  my  peace! 

[MENTHU  goes  back  among  the  PRIESTS,  in  a  rage] 

ANSU.  The  priest  of  Neith  is  wise;  but  in  this  matter 
his  wisdom  is  clouded. 

[Angry  murmur  from  the  PRIESTS] 

PHARAOH.     How  dost  thou  read  the  dream? 

ANSU  [Draws  cabalistic  signs  on  the  floor  with  his 
wand;  a  circle,  and,  within  it,  two  triangles]  O  King, 
live  forever.  In  the  days  to  come  thou  shalt  marry 
seven  queens,  and  they  shall  die  while  thou  livest.  And 
thou  shalt  beget  fourteen  children 

[PHARAOH  sinks  back  in  disgust.     The  PRIESTS  and 
SOOTHSAYERS  break  into  subdued  laughter] 

PESBES.     Thou  must  indeed  live  forever,  O  King! 

[The      CROWD      laughs — respectfully.        IRI,      the 
SOOTHSAYER,  strides  forward] 

IRI.     Is  it  given  to  me  to  speak,  O  King? 
PHARAOH.     Speak,   Iri,  the   Soothsayer. 
IRI.    The  foolishness  of  Ansu  is  greater  than  the  fool- 
ishness  of   Menthu. 

[ANSU  retires,  with  a  gesture  of  disgust] 

IRI.     Behold!    We  only  know  the  true  answer. 
106 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

PHARAOH.  If  it  be  no  better  than  theirs,  thou  diest — • 
with  them. 

[The    PRIESTS   and    MAGICIANS    are    petrified    with 
fear:    PESBES,  delighted] 

IRI.  We  have  consulted  the  stars.  It  is  declared 
that  no  man  hath  ever  dreamed  such  dreams  as  thine. 
Wherefore  there  is  no  interpretation  of  them,  and  to 
seek  it  is  blasphemy. 

[PHARAOH  leaps  upright.   Movement  of  the  CROWD] 

PHARAOH.  Are  ye  here  to  mock  me?  By  Sneffu  and 
Set,  ye  shall  all  to  prison  and  death. 

PRIESTS,  MAGICIANS,  SOOTHSAYERS  [Prostrating  them- 
selves] Mercy,  great  King! 

PHARAOH.  What  mercy  do  ye  show  me?  Ye  know 
my  soul  is  in  heavy  trouble.  My  little  son  is  sick  unto 
death,  and  the  Queen  is  belike  on  her  death-bed.  Per- 
chance these  dreams  were  sent  for  my  comfort,  and  ye 
turn  them  to  folly 

MENTHU.     Ours  is  the  right  interpretation! 

ANSU  [Violently]     Nay,  but  ours ! 

IRI.     The  stars  cannot  lie! 

[  Uproar] 

PHARAOH.  Silence!  [Dead  silence]  Is  there  in  all 
Egypt  no  reader  of  dreams?  [To  IMHOTEP]  What 
seekest  thou? 

[IMHOTEP  has  suddenly  come  forward  and  thrown 
himself  on  the  steps  of  the  throne] 

IMHOTEP.  Live  forever,  O  King!  If  it  be  the  King's 
pleasure,  I  can  tell  him  a  thing  to  his  help. 

PHARAOH  [Sinking  back  on  the  throne]  Speak,  then; 
but  mock  me  not. 

107 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

IMHOTEP.  I  do  remember  my  faults  this  day.  Pha- 
raoh was  wroth  with  his  servants  and  put  me  in  ward, 
both  me  and  the  Chief  Baker.  And  we  dreamed  one 
night,  I  and  he.  And  there  was  there  with  us  a  young 
man,  an  Hebrew,  and  he  interpreted  to  us  our  dreams. 
And  it  came  to  pass,  as  he  interpreted,  so  it  was.  Me 
thou  hast  restored  to  mine  office,  and  the  Chief  Baker 
is  hanged. 

[Movement  in  the  CROWD.  All  attentive.  PHARAOH 
leans  forward] 

IMHOTEP.  Behold,  this  slave  is  still  in  prison.  I 
promised  to  remember  him,  but  I  forgat.  Let  him  there- 
fore be  sent  for,  and  he  will  interpret  the  King's  dream 
aright. 

PHARAOH.     Have  him  hither  swiftly! 

[TEHUTI  and  four  SOLDIERS  march  out  in  quick 
time,  at  the  back] 

MENTHU  [Stepping  forward]  The  King  cannot 
hearken  to  this  slave! 

ANSU.     He  boweth  not  to  our  gods. 

IRI.     What  knoweth  he  of  the  stars? 

PHARAOH  [Leans  down  towards  the  dwarf]  Can'st 
thou  silence  these  chatterers? 

PESBES.     I  can  drown  their  voices.     [He  beckons] 

[Enter  MINSTRELS  and  SINGING-GIRLS,  wildly 
breaking  their  way  through  the  crowd.  A  dance] 

[PHARAOH  does  not  watch  the  dance;  he  is  lost  in 
gloomy  thoughts.  Re-enter  TEHUTI,  bringing  on 
ENENKHET.  The  dancers  disperse,  but  remain 
on  the  stage.  TEHUTI  and  ENENKHET  stand 
before  PHARAOH] 

108 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

PHARAOH   [Standing  up]     Is  he  come? 

ENENKHET.  He  is  without,  great  King,  but  I  dare 
not  bring  him  before  thee. 

PHARAOH.     Why  not? 

ENENKHET.  Two  years  he  hath  lain  in  his  dungeon; 
the  sight  of  him  would  offend  the  King's  eyes. 

PHARAOH.     Bring  him! 

[TEHUTI  goes  out] 

ENENKHET.     He  is  very  weak. 
PHARAOH.     Can  he  speak? 
ENENKHET.     Ay. 

PHARAOH.     Why  was  he  thrown  into  prison? 
ENENKHET.     He  was-  slave  to  Potiphar,  great  King; 
the  lady  Zuleika  accused  him 

[Movement  in  the  CROWD] 

PHARAOH.     The  lady  Zuleika ? 

ENENKHET.  O  King,  he  is  a  holy  man!  The  lady 
Zuleika  hath  persecuted  him.  She  bade  me  thrust  him 
into  the  dungeon;  and  daily  she  cometh  to  listen  for  his 
groans.  But  he  ever  singeth  praises  to  his  God. 

PHARAOH.  If  injustice  have  been  done,  the  gods  pity 
the  doer. 

[The  curtains  at  the  back  are  opened.  Enter  the 
four  SOLDIERS  and  TEHUTI,  supporting  JOSEPH. 
The  CROWD  make  way  for  them,  falling  back 
among  the  pillars  of  the  side  aisles,  and  an  "Oh!" 
of  amazement  and  pity  issues  from  it.  JOSEPH 
is,  indeed,  a  pitiable  figure.  His  camel-hair  gar- 
ment is  in  rags;  his  hair  is  long  and  wild;  his 
face  is  pinched  and  drawn;  his  eyes  are  sunken. 
His  frame  is  wasted  away  to  skin  and  bone  and 
he  is  shaken  with  fever  and  ague,  so  that  he  can 
109 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

hardly  stand.  He  looks  around  half  fiercely 
and  half  frightened,  like  a  captured  beast.  PHA- 
RAOH has  risen  at  JOSEPH'S  entrance] 

TEHUTI   [To  JOSEPH]     Fear  nought;  come! 

[JOSEPH  sees  PHARAOH] 
JOSEPH   [Scarcely  articulate]     Pharaoh! 

[He  stretches  his  skeleton  of  a  hand  towards  PHA- 
RAOH in  appeal,  and  advances,  with  his  great, 
glowing  eyes  fixed  on  him] 

PHARAOH.     Alas — !     Nay,  I  will  come  down  to  thee! 

[The  CROWD  murmurs  its  wonder  at  this.  PHA- 
RAOH comes  down  three  steps.  JOSEPH  has 
reached  the  throne  and  makes  as  if  to  kneel] 

PHARAOH.     Let  him  not  kneel. 

[The  SOLDIERS  keep  JOSEPH  up] 
PHARAOH,     Set  meat  before  him — give  him  to  drink. 

[SERVANTS  are  about  to  fulfil  this  order,  but] 

JOSEPH  [With  an  effort]  Nay — nay!  I  lack  noth- 
ing— God  was  with  me  in  the  prison. 

PHARAOH  [Still  standing]     Can'st  thou  hear  me? 

JOSEPH.     Oh,  very  well,  great  King! 

PHARAOH.     What  is  thy  name? 

JOSEPH  [Radiantly  carrying  his  memory  back]  When 
I  led  my  father's  flocks  to  pasture,  my  name  was  Joseph. 

PHARAOH.  I  have  heard  say  of  thee  that  thou  can'st 
understand  a  dream  to  interpret  it. 

JOSEPH.  It  is  not  in  me. — God  shall  give  Pharaoh 
an  answer  of  peace. 

[The  CROWD  has  closed  in  again,  but  the  curtains 
110 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

at  the  back  are  left  open.     The  light  outside  is 
much  softer] 

PHARAOH.     Art  thou  strong  enough? 
JOSEPH.     He  will  give  me  strength. 

[PHARAOH  goes  up  to  the  throne;  JOSEPH  is  left,  a 
single  weird  figure,  in  the  centre  of  the  stage] 

PHARAOH  [Sitting,  and  speaking  very  solemnly,  and 
as  if  he  were  now  witnessing  the  visions  he  describes] 
In  my  dream,  behold,  I  stood  upon  the  bank  of  the 
river;  and  there  came  out  of  the  water  seven  kine,  fat- 
fleshed  and  well-favoured;  and  they  fed  in  a  meadow; 
and,  behold,  seven  other  kine  came  up  after  them;  poor 
and  very  ill-favoured  and  lean-fleshed,  such  as  I  never 
saw  in  all  the  land  of  Egypt  for  badness:  and  the  lean 
and  the  ill-favoured  kine  did  eat  up  the  first  seven  fat 
kine;  and  when  they  had  eaten  them  up  it  could  not  be 
known  that  they  had  eaten  them;  but  they  were  still 
ill-favoured,  as  at  the  beginning.  So  I  woke. 

[Stir  among  the  CROWD.  Expression  of  varying 
emotions.  The  PRIESTS,  MAGICIANS,  SOOTHSAY- 
ERS, seem  to  repeat  their  interpretations  to  each 
other.  JOSEPH  stands  perfectly  still] 

PHARAOH  [Rising  and  speaking  with  greater  inten- 
sity] And  I  saw  in  my  dream;  and,  behold,  seven  ears 
came  up  in  one  stalk,  full  and  good:  and,  behold,  seven 
ears,  withered,  thin,  and  blasted  with  the  east-wind, 
sprung  up  after  them:  and  the  thin  ears  devoured  the 
seven  good  ears !  [He  sinks  back  on  the  throne]  And 
I  told  this  unto  the  magician:  but  there  was  none  that 
could  declare  it  unto  me.  [He  rests  his  chin  on  his 
hand  and  sinks  into  brooding  thought] 

111 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

[The  CROWD  stir.  The  idea  among  the  PRIESTS, 
etc.,  is  "What  will  JOSEPH  make  of  that?"] 

[JOSEPH  stands  with  his  hands  tightly  interlocked 
and  pressed  close  against  his  breast,  his  face 
turned  upward  and  his  eyes  wildly  staring.  Just 
as  the  murmur  of  the  CROWD  behind  him  begins 
to  assert  itself,  his  voice  rings  clear  above  it.  He 
speaks  in  a  sort  of  ecstasy  and  the  words  pour 
forth  rapidly  as  if  he  had  no  control  over  them] 

JOSEPH.     The  dream  of  Pharaoh  is  one. 

[The  CROWD  is  arrested,  and  listens  eagerly] 

JOSEPH  [Quietly  but  rapidly]  God  hath  shewed  Pha- 
raoh what  He  is  about  to  do.  The  seven  good  kine  are 
seven  years,  and  the  seven  good  ears  are  seven  years: 
the  dream  is  one.  And  the  seven  thin  and  ill-favoured 
kine  that  came  up  after  them  are  seven  years;  and  the 
seven  empty  ears  blasted  with  the  wind  shall  be  seven 
years  of  famine.  [Horror  of  the  CROWD]  This  is  the 
thing  which  I  have  spoken  unto  Pharaoh:  What  God  is 
about  to  do  He  sheweth  unto  Pharaoh.  [With  increased 
dignity  and  intensity]  Behold,  there  come  seven  years 
of  great  plenty  throughout  the  land  of  Egypt — [The 
CROWD  gives  a  silent  "Ah!"  of  joy;  JOSEPH  continues, 
sternly]  And  then  shall  arise  after  them  seven  years  of 
famine;  and  all  the  plenty  shall  be  forgotten  in  the 
land  of  Egypt;  and  the  famine  shall  consume  the  land; 
and  the  plenty  shall  not  be  remembered  in  the  land  by 
reason  of  that  famine  following;  for  it  shall  be  very 
grievous.  [CROWD  in  distress.  JOSEPH  proceeds  with 
impressive  and  authoritative  power]  And  for  that  the 
dream  was  doubled  unto  Pharaoh  twice  [He  turns  and 
faces  PHARAOH,  who  is  leaning  forward  with  breathless 

112 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

attention]  it  is  because  the  thing  is  established  by  God, 
and  God  will  shortly  bring  it  to  pass ! 

PHARAOH  [Sternly]  Is  there  more  wisdom  in  thee 
than  in  all  the  wise  men  of  Egypt? 

JOSEPH  [With  humble  dignity]  It  is  not  in  me.  It  is 
God. 

MENTHU  [Stepping  forward]  O  King,  wilt  thou  be- 
lieve him  so  lightly? 

ANSU.     Bid  him  show  thee  a  sign  and  a  token. 

IRI.     Thou  shalt  see  his  God  is  powerless ! 

PHARAOH  [Gravely]  Ay! — Joseph,  how  shall  I  know 
thy  words  are  true? 

[CROWD  eager] 

JOSEPH.  While  I  speak,  behold,  a  great  sorrow  fall- 
eth  upon  the  King,  and  still  while  I  speak,  cometh  a 
great  joy. 

[The  CROWD  turn  to  each  other  in  amazement] 
MENTHU  [Triumphant]     Behold,  O  King — ! 

[Suddenly  a  great  wail  of  mourning  women  is 
heard  off  R.] 

[PHARAOH  leaps  to  his  feet.  The  CROWD,  R.,  rush 
across  to  L.  in  fear.  The  PRIESTS,  etc.,  come 
down  to  R.  front.  JOSEPH  stands  still] 

PHARAOH.     What  is  that  wailing  of  women? 

[Enter  a  physician,  R.,  and  throws  himself  at 
PHARAOH'S  feet] 

PHARAOH.      Speak !      Speak ! 

PHYSICIAN.     Great  Pharaoh,  thy  little  son  is  dead. 

[PHARAOH   quivers,  but   stands  firm.      The   CROWD 
gives  a  great  cry  of  horror,  which  merges  into  a 
113 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

moan  of  sympathy.  Hands  are  stretched  out 
towards  PHARAOH.  Suddenly  a  joyful  flourish 
of  trumpets  cuts  through  the  sounds  of  mourn- 
ing. PHARAOH  shudders,  and  cries  out] 

PHARAOH.     The  trumpets!     Silence  the  trumpets! 
[A  second  PHYSICIAN  hurries  in] 

2o  PHYSICIAN  [Prostrating  himself  before  PHARAOH] 
Rejoice,  O  King!  A  man-child  is  born  unto  thee! 

PHARAOH  [Eagerly]     The  Queen ? 

2o  PHYSICIAN.     The  Queen  liveth  and  is  well. 

[PHARAOH  sinks  back  on  the  throne,  covers  his  face 
with  his  hands,  and  is  shaken  with  sobs  of  joy. 
The  CROWD  is  bewildered;  its  murmurs  increase, 
and  it  is  just  going  to  break  into  a  shout  of  joy, 
when ] 

TEHUTI  [Advancing]  Break  up  the  court!  Leave  the 
King  to  his  mourning  and  to  his  joy. 

PHARAOH  [Rising]  Not  so! — Our  joys  and  sorrows 
are  private,  but  this  matter  of  the  dream  is  for  the 
land!  Joseph,  what  would'st  thou  have  me  do? 

JOSEPH.  Let  Pharaoh  look  out  a  man  discreet  and 
wise,  and  set  him  over  the  land  of  Egypt;  and  let  him 
gather  all  the  food  of  those  good  years  that  come,  and 
let  them  keep  food  in  the  cities.  And  that  shall  be  for  a 
store  against  the  seven  years  of  famine;  that  the  land 
perish  not  through  the  famine. 

PHARAOH  [To  the  NOBLES  and  OFFICERS  near  his 
throne]  What  say  ye  all?  Is  this  wisdom? 

TEHUTI.     O  King,  it  is  good. 

CROWD.     It  is  good!     It  is  good! 

PHARAOH.  Can  we  find  such  a  one  as  this  is,  a  man 
in  whom  the  spirit  of  God  is? 

114 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

IMHOTEP.    Set  him  over  us,  O  King ! 

CROWD.     Joseph !     Joseph ! 

PHARAOH.  Forasmuch  as  God  hath  shewed  thee  all 
this,  there  is  none  so  discreet  and  wise  as  thou  art:  Thou 
shalt  be  over  my  house,  and  according  unto  thy  word 
shall  all  my  people  be  ruled;  only  in  the  throne  will  I 
be  greater  than  thou.  [He  rises]  Joseph  art  thou  no 
more,  but  I  will  call  thee  Zaphenath  Paneah,  the  prince 
of  the  days  to  be.  [He  comes  down  from  the  throne  to 
JOSEPH,  who  is  standing  dazed.  He  draws  off  his  signet- 
ring  and  places  it  on  JOSEPH'S  finger]  See !  I  have  set 
thee  over  all  the  land  of  Egypt.  [To  the  CROWD] 
Bow  the  knee ! 

ALL.     Hail,  prince  of  life! 

[JOSEPH  suddenly  sinks  into  ENENKHET'S  arms. 
PHARAOH  has  turned  away.  The  CROWD  gasps] 

ENENKHET.    The  glory  is  too  great — he  swooneth. 
IST  PHYSICIAN    [Who  has  hurried  up]     O  King,  the 
man  is  dying — 

PHARAOH.     Now  the  gods  forbid! 

[The  CROWD  has  closed  in] 

ENENKHET.     His  heart  is  breaking — 
PHARAOH.     Make  way!     Give  air! 

[The  CROWD  opens.  At  the  back,  outside  the  hall, 
music  sounds  and  the  voices  of  MAIDENS  chant- 
ing. A  procession  of  young  MAIDENS  passes 
slowly  from  L.  to  R.  and,  in  their  midst,  ASE- 
NATH,  in  white,  crowned  with  white  flowers] 

JOSEPH   [Faintly]     What — is — that — music? 
PHYSICIAN.     He  speaketh ! 

JOSEPH   [Rising  eagerly]      What — is — that — singing? 
115 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

MENTHU.  It  is  my  daughter,  on  her  way  to  the 
temple  of  Neith — 

JOSEPH  [Vaguely]  Thy  daughter — ?  How  is  she 
called  ? 

MENTHU.     Asenath. 

JOSEPH  [Transfigured]  Asenath! — Ah!  Let  me  see 
her! 

IST  PHYSICIAN.     My  lord  is  very  weak. 

PHARAOH   [To  JOSEPH]      Dost  thou  love  her? 

JOSEPH.    Ah,  God — 

PHARAOH  [He  mounts  the  throne]     Bring  her  hither! 

[TEHUTI,  who  has  gone  up  to  the  entrance,  turns 
the  procession  into  the  hall.  The  MAIDENS  who 
were  in  front  of  ASENATH  come  down,  L.;  those 
behind  her,  R.  She  walks  alone  down  the  centre, 
half-dazed  and  half-frightened.  JOSEPH  is 
kneeling,  R.  front,  with  arms  outstretched  yearn- 
ingly. She  only  sees  a  woful  creature,  as  it  were, 
appealing  for  pity.  A  look  of  wonder  comes 
into  her  face,  a  puzzled  look  of  struggling  re- 
membrance, a  look  of  dawning  hope] 

JOSEPH.     Asenath ! 

[She  stops  short,  with  a  little  gasp  of  amazement, 
then  she  timidly  and  falteringly  comes  towards 
him.  At  this  moment  ZULEIKA  enters  from  R., 
followed  by  WAKARA  and  her  LADIES.  ZULEIKA 
and  ASENATH  face  each  other  for  an  instant.  The 
joy  dies  out  of  ASENATH'S  face.  She  utters  a 
moan,  draws  the  veil  she  is  wearing  over  her 
face,  and  totters,  gropingly,  to  her  father,  who 
catches  her  to  his  breast  and  hurriedly  leads  her 
off,  L.  JOSEPH  has  risen.  ZULEIKA,  with  a  little 
mocking  laugh  at  him,  and  a  deep  obeisance  to 
116 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

PHARAOH,  sweeps  out  magnificently.     Confusion 
among  the  CROWD] 

PHARAOH   [Angrily}     Summon  the  maiden  back! 

JOSEPH.  Oh,  King,  I  pray  thee  let  the  maiden  go  in 
peace,  for  she  is  in  the  power  of  the  liar.  And  as  for 
me,  I  will  do  thy  bidding,  and  I  will  serve  Egypt,  and 
save  it.  [Drawing  himself  up  to  his  full  height}  And 
I  will  live  till  the  liar  be  put  to  confusion ! 

ALL.    Hail,  Prince  of  Life ! 


CURTAIN 


117 


ACT    IV 

THE    DELIVERER 
GENESIS  XLII;  XLIII;  XLIV;  XLIX 

SCENE    I 
THE    TENTS    OF    SHECHEM 


PERSONS 

Jacob  Gad 

Reuben  Asher 

Levi  Zebulun 

Judah  Benjamin 

Dan  Issachar 

Naphtali  Serah 


SIMEON 

From  a  Drawing  by  Dorothy  Parker 


ACT    IV 

SCENE  1 — The  Interior  of  Jacob's  Tent  as  in  the  Last 
Scene  of  Act  I 

R.  C.  there  is  a  seat,  .formed  of  cushions,  in  which 
JACOB,  now  106  years  old,  is  reclining.  He  gazes 
straight  before  him  with  unseeing  eyes.  JUDAH  is  bent 
humbly  before  him,  but  JACOB  takes  no  notice  of  him. 
The  other  BROTHERS  are  in  a  group,  L.  front.  JUDAH 
rises  and  comes  to  them. 

JUDAH.  Father  Jacob! — He  will  not  hear.  He  will 
not  speak.  [Down  R.] 

LEVI.     Woe !     Woe ! 

REUBEN.  The  food  we  brought  out  of  Egypt  is  all 
spent. 

ASHER  [Enters]  My  children,  and  my  children's 
children  clamour  for  bread. 

REUBEN.  It  is  the  curse  of  God  for  the  evil  we  did 
unto  Joseph. 

LEVI.  Now  we  must  go  down  to  Egypt  a  second 
time. 

REUBEN  [Bitterly]  Ay,  we,  princes  in  Israel,  on  our 
knees,  begging  for  food! 

GAD.     Needs  must,  when  hunger  drives. 

DAN.    Not  hunger  only;  we  must  redeem  Simeon. 

ZEBULUN.  Simeon,  that  was  hottest  for  selling 
Joseph  a  slave,  is  now  a  slave  himself 

ASHER.     And  we  are  starving 

121 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

JUDAH.     God  is  righteous. 

DAN.  I  dread  the  man — the  governor — him  they  call 
the  Revealer  of  Secrets. 

LEVI.  Nay,  he  is  our  friend.  Did  he  not  restore  to 
each  man  his  money  in  his  sack? 

NAPHTALI  [To  REUBEN'S  SLAVE]  I  dread  a  trick. 
What  if  he  say  we  stole  the  money,  and  slay  Simeon? 

REUBEN.  Yet  to  him  we  must  go.  In  all  the  world 
there  is  no  corn,  but  only  in  Egypt. 

ISSACHAR.     Our  father  will  not  let  us  go. 

REUBEN.     We  must  persuade  him. 

ISSACHAR.  Remember  the  man's  words — Except  ye 
bring  Benjamin,  ye  shall  not  see  my  face. 

ZEBULUN   [Pointing  off  L.]      Lo!     Benjamin. 

{Enter  BENJAMIN,  a  lad] 

LEVI.  Oh,  latest-born  of  Rachel,  Benjamin,  whom 
our  father  loveth,  plead  for  us. 

BENJAMIN.     What  would'st  thou,  son  of  Leah? 

LEVI.  Plead  with  Jacob  for  us,  that  we  may  go 
down  into  Egypt  once  more. 

BENJAMIN.     That  will  I,  gladly. 

[Enter   SERAH,   in   wild   distress.     She   hurries   to 
ASHER,  and  throws  herself  in  his  arms] 

SERAH.  Father,  my  child  crieth  for  food!  Father! 
Father!  My  first-born! 

ALL  [Veiling  their  faces]     Woe  upon  us  all! 

ASHER.     Child,  our  father's  heart  is  turned  to  stone. 

SERAH.     I  will  entreat  him 

ASHER  [Pointing  to  JACOB]  Lo!  he  looketh  neither 
to  the  left  nor  to  the  right;  his  eyeballs  have  grown 
white  with  weeping.  Yet,  Serah,  take  thy  harp;  sing 
to  him — sing  our  grief — sing  the  death  of  our  chil- 
dren  

122 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

SERAH.  Alas!  How  shall  I  sing,  with  a  breaking 
heart? 

ASHER.  Put  the  heart-break  into  thy  song. 

SERAH.  Give  me  my  harp — I  will  sing. 

[She  takes  her  harp;  goes  up  to  JACOB,  and,  kneel- 
ing on  one  knee,  sings.  The  BROTHERS  cover 
their  faces  with  their  cloaks,  and  stand  and  sit, 
impressive  figures  of  sorrow] 

SERAH  [Sings]  — 

I  sit  alone  in  the  wilderness, 

My  children  are  perishing  around  me 

Mother,  mother,  they  cry, 

We  hunger,  we  are  a-thirst. 

Cry  not  to  me,  O  children, 

Cry  to  the  Captain  of  Israel ! 

As  for  me,  I  am  dried  up; 

My  heart-strings  are  rent  asunder, 

Even  as   I  rend  the  strings  of  my  harp! 

[  With  a  wild  chord,  she  tears  the  strings  out  of  her 
harp.  JACOB  awakes  out  of  his  dream] 

JACOB.  Who  singeth?  Is  it  thou,  Serah,  daughter 
of  Asher? 

SERAH.     Father,  it  is  I !     My  child  is  dying ! 

JACOB.  Joseph,  my  beloved,  is  dead;  and  Simeon  is  a 
captive  in  a  strange  land. 

SEBAH.     But  we,  the  living,  are  an-hungered. 

REUBEN.     All  the  seed  of  Israel  will  surely  perish. 

JACOB.     Go  again;  buy  us  a  little  food. 

JUDAH.  The  man  did  solemnly  protest  unto  us,  say- 
ing, Ye  shall  not  see  my  face,  except  your  brother,  Ben- 
jamin, be  with  you. 

JACOB.  Me  have  ye  bereaved  of  my  children;  Joseph 
123 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

is  not,  and  Simeon  is  not,  and  ye  will  take  away  Ben- 
jamin, whom  his  mother  died  in  bearing:  all  these 
things  are  against  me. 

REUBEN.  Slay  my  two  sons,  if  I  bring  him  not  to 
thee. 

JACOB.  Wherefore  dealt  ye  so  ill  with  me,  as  to  tell 
the  man  whether  ye  had  yet  a  brother? 

LEVI.  The  man  asked  us  straitly  of  our  state,  and 
of  our  kindred,  saying,  Is  your  father  yet  alive?  Have 
ye  another  brother? 

ISSACHAR.  Could  we  certainly  know  that  he  would 
say,  Bring  your  brother  down? 

GAD.  The  man  knew  all  things:  for  though  the  city 
hath  ten  gates ;  and  we  went  in,  each  of  us  by  a  separate 
gate,  yet  he  knew  all  our  going  and  coming. 

ZEBULUN.     He  is  called  the  Revealer  of  Secrets. 

JUDAH.  Send  the  lad  with  me,  and  we  will  arise 
and  go;  that  we  may  live,  and  not  die,  both  we  and 
thou,  and  our  little  ones. 

SERAH.     Israel !     Israel ! 

JUDAH.  I  will  be  surety  for  him;  of  my  hand  shalt 
thou  require  him.  If  I  bring  him  not  unto  thee,  and 
set  him  before  thee,  then  let  me  bear  the  blame  for- 
ever. For  except  we  had  lingered,  surely  now  we  had 
returned  this  second  time. 

BENJAMIN.  Father,  let  me  go.  I  have  no  fear  of 
the  man. 

JACOB.     Can'st  thou  leave  me,  Benjamin? 

BENJAMIN.  For  my  brothers'  sakes,  and  for  the  sake 
of  their  children. 

[Pause] 

JACOB  [To  JUDAH]  If  evil  befall  him,  thou  shalt 
bring  down  my  grey  hairs  with  sorrow  to  the  grave. 

124 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

Yet,  if  it  must  be  so — [Movement  of  joy  amongst  the 
BROTHERS;  ZEBULUN  slips  out  at  back}  now  do  this: 
Take  of  the  best  fruits  of  the  land  in  your  vessels,  and 
carry  down  the  man  a  present,  a  little  balm,  a  little 
honey,  spices  and  myrrh,  nuts  and  almonds :  and  take 
double  money  in  your  hand;  and  the  money  that  was 
brought  again  in  the  mouths  of  your  sacks,  carry  it  again 
in  your  hand;  peradventure  it  was  an  oversight:  take 
also  your  brother,  and  arise,  go  again  unto  the  man. 
[He  clasps  BENJAMIN  in  his  arms} 

JUDAH.  Now,  God  be  praised,  who  hath  moved  thy 
heart!  We  will  make  all  speed,  and  it  shall  not  be 
many  days  ere  we  return  with  food. 

REUBEN.     Thy  blessing,  O  Israel! 

[ALL  kneel  where  they  happen  to  be  standing. 
JACOB  rises] 

JACOB.  God  Almighty  give  you  mercy  before  the 
man,  that  he  may  send  away  your  brother,  and  Benja- 
min. If  I  be  bereaved,  I  am  bereaved. 

[ZEBULUN  flings  open  the  great  curtains  at  the 
back.  Outside  the  asses  are  seen  laden  for  the 
journey,  with  SLAVES,  etc.  The  BROTHERS  break 
up  amid  subdued  excitement.  BENJAMIN  leaves 
JACOB,  and,  sheltering  under  JUDAH'S  arm,  goes 
out.  JACOB  follows  him  to  the  door,  where  he 
sinks  to  the  ground,  and,  picking  up  handsful  of 
dust,  scatters  it  on  his  white  hair] 

THE  SCENE  CHANGES 


125 


SCENE  II 


JOSEPH'S   HOUSE 
PERSONS 


Joseph 

Simeon 

Tehuti 

Sebni 

Atha 


Dedefre 

Enenkhet 

Zuleika 

Asenath 

Wakara 


Tamai 
Slaves 
SCENE   2 — An   Open   Space   outside  Joseph's  House 

Trees  on  the  right,  and  in  the  background.  Through 
a  break  in  the  latter  there  is  a  view  of  the  Nile,  with,  on 
the  opposite  shore,  the  Pyramids  and  the  temples  at- 
tached to  them.  The  entrance  to  the  house  is  L. 

Enter  JOSEPH  and  ASENATH,  R.,  attended  by  SLAVES, 
leading  EPHRAIM  and  MANASSEH  (children),  who,  at  a 
signal  from  JOSEPH,  pass  on  into  the  house. 

ASENATH.    Is  my  lord  happy? 
JOSEPH.     Ah!     Am  I  happy! 
126 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

ASENATH.     Are  the  sheep-folds  in  Dothan  forgotten? 

JOSEPH.     Nay,  for  then  I  were  less  happy. 

ASENATH.     Rede  me  that  riddle. 

JOSEPH.  I  am  of  a  race  which  never  forgets.  With 
us  the  ties  of  blood  are  stronger  than  death. 

ASENATH.     Stronger  than  love? 

JOSEPH  [Smiling]  Is  there  no  such  tie  between  us? 
Art  thou  not  the  mother  of  my  children?  Art  thou 
happy,  Asenath? 

ASENATH.    Ay — save  when  I  remember  Zuleika. 

JOSEPH.     What  is  Zuleika  to  us? 

ASENATH.  I  fear  her.  They  say  she  fareth  every 
night  yonder  [Pointing  to  the  Pyramids]  to  Cheops' 
tomb;  and  there  she  weaveth  spells  and  breweth  phil- 
tres. They  say  many  men  have  come  to  a  miserable 
end  by  her  craft.  Oh,  remember  how  she  hateth  thee, 
and  beware! 

JOSEPH.  Be  comforted.  She  shall  hurt  neither  thee 
nor  me.  [To  ENENKHET,  who  enters  L.]  What  now? 

ENENKHET.  Great  lord,  here  be  certain  nobles  of  the 
land,  humbly  crave  speech  of  thee. 

JOSEPH  [To  ASENATH,  leading  her  towards  the  en- 
trance of  the  house]  Go  in,  beloved,  and  be  of  good 
cheer.  Drink  courage  in  the  eyes  of  our  sons,  Manasseh 
and  Ephraim. 

ASENATH.  I  have  drunk  courage  in  thine.  But 
beware ! 

[Exit  into  the  house] 

JOSEPH  [To  the  STEWARD]  Well — have  the  nobles 
hither.  Wait.  How  fareth  our  guest:  Simeon,  the  son 
of  Jacob? 

ENENKHET.  He  hath  his  freedom,  to  go  and  come, 
as  my  lord  bade. 

127 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

JOSEPH.     How  doth  he  use  that  freedom? 
ENENKKET.     Seeking  his  brother. 
JOSEPH    [Smiling]      Joseph? 

ENENKHET  [With  a  twinkle]  I  think  that  is  the 
name,  my  lord. 

JOSEPH.     Bid  him  attend  me. 

[Exit  ENENKHET  L.     Enter  L.,   TEHUTI,  SEBNI, 
ATHA  and  DEDEFRE] 

TEHUTI.  Revealer  of  Secrets,  O  Prince  of  Life,  live 
forever ! 

JOSEPH.     What  is  it  ye  seek? 

TEHUTI.  Behold,  there  is  no  bread  in  all  the  land; 
for  the  famine  is  very  sore,  so  that  the  land  of  Egypt 
fainteth  by  reason  of  the  famine. 

[SIMEON    enters,  and   stands   matching  the   scene] 

JOSEPH.  I  warned  you  of  this:  it  is  according  to 
Pharaoh's  dream. 

SEBNI.  But  thou,  lord,  hast  gathered  up  all  the  money 
that  was  found  in  the  land  of  Egypt  for  the  corn  which 
we  bought. 

JOSEPH  [Gravely]  I  have  brought  the  money  into 
Pharaoh's  house. 

DEDEFRE.  And  when  money  failed,  and  we  said,  Give 
us  bread,  for  why  should  we  die  in  thy  presence 

JOSEPH  [Blandly]  Then  said  I,  Give  your  cattle; 
and  I  gave  you  bread  in  return  for  your  cattle. 

ATHA.     And  now  we  come  again  entreating  thy  help. 

DEDEFRE.  We  will  not  hide  from  my  lord  that  our 
money  is  spent 

ATHA.     My  lord  hath  also  our  herds  of  cattle. 

TEHUTI  [Bitterly]  There  is  not  aught  left  in  the 
sight  of  my  lord  but  our  bodies  and  our  lands. 

128 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

ATHA  [With  increasing  violence]  Wherefore  shall 
we  die  before  thine  eyes,  both  we  and  our  land ! 

DEDEFRE.  Buy  us  and  our  land  for  bread,  and  we 
and  our  land  will  be  servants  unto  Pharaoh! 

SEBNI.     Give  us  seed,  that  we  may  live  and  not  die! 

ATHA.     That  the  land  be  not  desolate ! 

TEHUTI.  Lo!  We  will  sell  our  ancient  freedom  fdr 
food,  that  our  little  ones  may  live. 

JOSEPH  [Gravely]  It  shall  be  as  you  say.  Your- 
selves and  your  lands  ye  shall  bind  to  Pharaoh,  and 
food  shall  be  given  you,  and  seed  to  sow  your  land.  Go 
within.  Let  each  man  write  out  his  account. 

TEHUTI.     My  lord  is  very  merciful! 

[They   pass   into    the   house    with   every    token   of 
despair.     One  veils  his  face,  weeping] 

SEBNI.    He  holdeth  us  in  the  hollow  of  his  hand ! 
ATHA.      What    care    I?      Shall    I    see    my    children 
starve  ? 

[Exeunt] 

[JOSEPH  turns  with  a  grave  smile  to  SIMEON] 

JOSEPH.  Well,  Simeon,  my — guest — what  thinkest 
thou  of  what  thou  seest  in  Egypt? 

SIMEON  [With  sincere  admiration]  I  thought  I  was 
a  hard  man  at  bartering,  but  in  thy  presence ! 

JOSEPH.  I  grieve  to  hear  thy  search  for  thy  brother 
hath  been  fruitless. 

SIMEON  [Startled]     How  knewest  thou ? 

JOSEPH  [Smiling]  Am  I  not  the  Revealer  of  Secrets? 
[Blandly]  How  was  thy  brother  lost? 

SIMEON  [Sullenly]  If  my  lord  knoweth  all  things, 
he  knoweth  that  also. 

[TEHUTI  appears,  L.] 

129 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

TEHUTI.     My  lord,  the  deeds  are  written.     Will  it 
please  thee  to  sign? 
JOSEPH.     I  come. 

[TEHUTI  goes  in] 

JOSEPH  [To  SIMEON]  I  would  willingly  have  heard 
thee  tell  the  tale.  But  the  lords  wait.  [As  he  goes  in, 
with  a  slight  tinge  of  mockery]  Seek  again,  Simeon! 

[As  he  turns  to  go  into  the  house,  ZULEIKA  is 
brought  in  in  a  litter,  R.,  attended  by  WAKARA 
and  TAMAI] 

SIMEON  [Looking  after  JOSEPH]  Was  the  man  mock- 
ing me?  Doth  he  know  I  sold  Joseph  into  slavery? 
Since  he  knoweth  all  things — was  he  mocking  me? 

ZULEIKA.     Who  was  mocking  thee,  Hebrew? 

SIMEON.  Lady [He  is  about  to  pass  her,  when 

he  recognizes  her  and  starts  back  in  amazement] 

ZULEIKA.     Why  does  thou  marvel  so? 

SIMEON.    Where  have  I  seen  thee — ?    Where?  Where? 

ZULEIKA  [Recognizing  him]  Thou — !  Ay — !  the 
years  have  not  taken  the  greed  out  of  thine  eyes !  Thou 
art  one  of  those  who  would  have  slain  Joseph ! 

SIMEON.  And  thou  art  she  who  bought  him !  Ah ! 
Thank  God !  Now  I  shall  find  my  brother  again ! 

ZULEIKA.     Art  thou  mad? 

SIMEON.  Nay,  deny  me  not.  Thou  art  she!  Time 
hath  not  touched  thy  beauty!  Joseph,  my  brother,  is 
he  alive?  Where  is  he ? 

WAKARA  [In  amazement,  indicating  the  house] 
Why 

ZULEIKA  [Sharply]  Silence!  [To  SIMEON,  matching 
him  closely]  Knowest  thou  in  whose  house  thou  art? 

SIMEON.  In  the  house  of  the  Overlord  of  Egypt.  I 
130 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

came  with  my  brethren  to  buy  food;  and  the  man  called 
us  spies  and  held  me  for  hostage  till  my  brethren  bring 
our  youngest  brother,  Benjamin — 

ZULEIKA  [Insistently]  Nay,  but  the  man;  knowest 
thou  who  the  man  is? 

SIMEON.  I  know  nought,  save  that  from  him  pro- 
ceedeth  life  and  death.  If  thou  knowest  aught  of  my 
brother,  tell  me.  For  the  curse  is  upon  me  for  his  sake. 

[ZULEIKA,  seeing  JOSEPH  and  the  EGYPTIANS  com- 
ing out  of  the  house,  gives  a  signal  and  is  carried 
on.  SIMEON  follows  her  a  little  may] 

ZULEIKA.     Thy  brother  liveth. 

SIMEON  [With  a  cry]     What!    Where?   Where? 

[JOSEPH  and  the  LORDS  come  out] 

JOSEPH  [At  the  entrance]  And  so,  farewell,  my 
lords. 

TEHUTI.     Farewell,  dispenser  of  mercies. 

[They   go  out,   L.,   back.     JOSEPH   matches   them] 

ZULEIKA  [To  SIMEON]  Come  at  midnight  [Pointing 
to  the  Pyramids]  to  Cheops'  tomb. 

[She  is  carried  out,  with  WAKARA  and  TAMAI  fol- 
lowing her.  SIMEON  looks  after  her  in  amaze- 
ment, and  exit,  R.,  back] 

JOSEPH  [Calling]     Simeon! 

[SIMEON  turns,  alarmed,  towards  JOSEPH] 

THE  SCENE  CHANGES 


131 


SCENE    III 

THE    PYRAMIDS 

PERSONS 

Potiphar  Ani 

Simeon  Zuleika 

Heru  Wakara 

Tamai 

Slaves 
SCENE  3 — At  the  Foot  of  an  Angle  of  the  Pyramid. 

The  Pyramid  projects  diagonally  from  L.  front  to 
R.  C.  and  soars  out  of  sight,  giving  the  impression  that 
the  small  portion  seen  of  it  is  life-size.  On  the  R.  are 
a  few  palms.  In  the  distance  the  solemn  bulk  of  another 
Pyramid  looms  against  the  sky.  It  is  night;  the  moon 
has  not  yet  risen.  The  sky  is  of  a  deep  purple,  studded 
with  countless  stars.  None  of  the  details  of  the  Pyra- 
mid can  be  seen — it  is  merely  an  overwhelming  black 
angle. 

Enter,  R.,  POTIPHAR,  HERU,  ANI  and  TAMAI,  followed 
by  a  few  ETHIOPIAN  SLAVES,  one  of  whom  carries  burn- 
ing coals  in  a  cage-like  vessel,  while  another  bears  iron 
pincers. 

132 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

TAMAI.     This  is  the  place. 

POTIPHAR.     It  is  sacred. 

HERU.  My  lord  Potiphar,  bid  us  not  abide  here; 
here  the  gods  move. 

ANI.     The  girl  led  us  hither  to  a  trap. 

POTIPHAR  [To  TAMAI]  What  is  thy  reward  if  thou 
liest? 

TAMAI.    Death. 

POTIPHAR.     Lingering  and  terrible. 

TAMAI.    I  lie  not. 

POTIPHAR.  Get  ye  behind  the  tomb.  Heat  the  blind- 
ing-irons ;  red-hot — red-hot.  I  will  lie  among  the  palms. 
When  I  come  forth,  come  forth  also.  Begone. 

[HERU,  ANI  and  the  SLAVES  go  behind  the  Pyramid] 

POTIPHAR  [Strides  agitatedly  to  and  fro.  Stops 
before  TAMAI]  I  know  thou  liest.  Why  should  she 
seek  the  lord  Joseph's  death? 

TAMAI.     Because  she  loveth  him 

POTIPHAR.  Thou  liest!  Thou  liest!  He  sought  her 
love  and  she 

TAMAI.  He  sought  not  her  love.  She  sought  his 
love,  and  he  scorned  her.  Therefore  she  seeketh  his 
death. 

POTIPHAR  [Violently]  Girl!  I  could  put  my  hand 
about  thy  throat  and  press  the  life  out  of  thee,  for  thou 

speakest  my  fear !  Ha !  I  thank  the  gods  I  shall 

know  the  truth  to-night. 

TAMAI  [At  his  feet]  Oh,  my  lord,  use  her  mercifully! 
I  know  how  love  has  made  her  suffer.  Save  my  lord 
Joseph,  but  use  Zuleika  mercifully. 

POTIPHAR.  Fool !  do  I  not  suffer  ?  Have  I  not  loved 
her?  She  hath  made  a  mock  of  me — unless  thou  lie! 

133 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

Woe  to  thee  if  thou  lie !  Woe  to  her  and  to  me  if  thou 
speak  truth ! 

TAMAI.  Come  what  may,  for  me  there  is  nothing  but 
woe! 

POTIPHAR  [Suddenly]  With  me!  Into  the  dark- 
ness! 

[He  drags  TAMAI  among  the  palms.  Enter,  L., 
WAKARA,  leading  SLAVES,  who  bear  a  closed  litter 
in  which  is  ZULEIKA] 

ZULEIKA.  Set  me  down.  [She  emerges  from  the  lit- 
ter. She  is  dressed  in  white,  over  which  she  wears  a 
black  veil] 

ZULEIKA.  When  the  moon  is  straight  above  the  tomb, 
come  and  bear  me  away.  Begone. 

[The  SLAVES  hurry  out,  R.,  bearing  the  litter  with 
them] 

ZULEIKA.     Thou,  go  spy  whether  Simeon  cometh. 
WAKARA.     Hast  thou  no  dread?     The  ghosts  of  dead 
men  are  all  about  us. 

ZULEIKA.     I  fear  not  the  dead.     Begone. 

[Exit  WAKARA,  L.  The  moon  rises.  ZULEIKA 
stands  rigid.  Enter  SIMEON,  L.] 

ZULEIKA.     Art  thou  come,  Simeon? 
SIMEON.     At  thy  bidding. 
ZULEIKA.     Stand  more  in  the  dark. 
SIMEON.     Who  should  see  me  here? 
ZULEIKA.      The    Revealer    watcheth.      What    seekest 
thou? 

SIMEON.    Where  is  my  brother  hidden? 
ZULEIKA.     The  Revealer  hath  him  in  hiding. 
SIMEON.     Zaphenath  Paneah! 
134 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

ZULEIKA.     Joseph  is  in  his  house. 

SIMEON.     But  he  knoweth  I  seek  him! 

ZULEIKA.  He  mocketh  thee.  He  cannot  disclose 
Joseph,  for  whatever  he  hath,  he  hath  from  Joseph. 
His  wisdom  is  Joseph's;  his  reading  of  dreams  is 
Joseph's.  Yea,  he  hath  even  wedded  the  woman  Joseph 
loved.  How  can  he  disclose  him? 

SIMEON.  He  knoweth  me  for  Joseph's  brother — why 
hath  he  not  slain  me?  Why  did  he  not  slay  us  all  when 
we  were  here? 

ZULEIKA.     Were  ye  all  here? 

SIMEON.     All,  save  Benjamin. 

ZULEIKA.    Why  art  thou  a  hostage? 

SIMEON.      That  Benjamin   may  be  brought. 

ZULEIKA.  When  Benjamin  is  brought,  then  shall  ye 
all  be  slain,  for  then- 


SIMEON.     Then  what ? 

ZULEIKA.     Then  no  avenger  can  arise — unless 

SIMEON.     Unless ? 

ZULEIKA.     Wilt  thou  suffer  the  slayer  to  live? 

SIMEON.     Woman ! 

ZULEIKA.     Wilt  thou  not  free  thy  brother? 

SIMEON.  Egypt  loveth  the  man — worshipeth  him  as 
a  god — the  Nobles — Pharaoh  himself 

ZULEIKA  [Laughing]  Thinkest  thou  Pharaoh  loveth 
him?  Who  is  king  in  Egypt?  Not  Pharaoh,  but  this 
upstart.  Do  the  Nobles  love  him,  whose  gold,  whose 
cattle,  whose  lands  and  whose  bodies  he  hath  taken  for 
a  peck  of  corn?  Strike!  and  Egypt  shall  call  thee  the 
Deliverer !  [She  throws  off  her  veil] 

SIMEON.  Woman!  Thine  eyes  blaze  through  the 
night ! 

ZULEIKA.  Strike !  and  thou  shall  see  them  blaze  with 
another  flame! 

135 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

SIMEON.  Woman!  woman!  thou  pourest  poison  into 
my  veins ! 

ZULEIKA.  Set  Pharaoh  free ;  redeem  thy  brother ! 
Deliver  Egypt;  slay  the  man  I  hate 

SIMEON  [Quickly]     Why  hatest  thou  him? 

ZULEIKA  [In  a  wild  outburst  of  passion]  Because  I 
love  him!  Because  he  spurned  me!  Ah,  gods!  Shall 
I  ever  forget!  Twice  I  destroyed  him,  and  twice  he 
sprang  up  refreshed !  Ah !  Slay  him !  Slay  him ! 
And  ask  what  reward  thou  wilt ! 

SIMEON.     They  have  stripped  me  of  my  weapons. 

ZULEIKA  [Handing  him  a  dagger]  Here ! — here ! 
Hide  this  under  thy  cloak.  Beware !  A  scratch  is 
death — 'tis  poisoned! 

SIMEON.  I  am  alone — if  I  make  to  touch  him,  his 
servants  will  fall  upon  me 

ZULEIKA.  Oh,  faint  heart!  Wait  till  thy  brethren 
be  at  thy  side 

SIMEON    [Eagerly]      And  then — Zuleika? 

ZULEIKA.     Begone — swiftly !     My  bearers  come. 

[SIMEON  hurries  out,  L.  She  watches  him  off. 
With  a  triumphant  gesture,  she  turns,  to  find 
herself  face  to  face  with  POTIPHAR,  who  has 
come  out  of  the  shadow.  TAMAI  ha-s  slipped 
out,  R.] 

ZULEIKA  [Quite  calm]     Eavesdropping,  my  lord? 
POTIPHAR  [Cold  and  stern]     Thy  name  shall  be  a  by- 
word of  shame. 

ZULEIKA.     And  thine  a  by-word  of  mockery. 
POTIPHAR.    No  word  of  repentance? 
ZULEIKA.     Ay,  I  repent  me  that  I  have  failed. 
POTIPHAR   [More  sternly]      But — to  me! 
136 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

[The  ETHIOPIAN  SLAVES  have  entered  unperceived 
and  stand  behind  ZULEIKA] 

ZULEIKA  [Mockingly]  Oh,  my  lord,  were  I  to  speak 
to  thee,  in  a  moment  I  should  win  thy  love  again:  which 
the  gods  forbid.  I  heed  neither  thy  love  nor  thy  hate. 
Farewell. 

[At  a  movement  from  POTIPHAR,  the  SLAVES  step 
forward.  ZULEIKA  for  a  moment  sways  with 
terror,  then  draws  herself  up  and  speaks  con- 
temptuously] 

ZULEIKA.  Death?  A  poor  triumph,  my  lord.  It  is 
so  easy  to  slay. 

POTIPHAR.     Not  death.     [To  the  SLAVES]     Take  her. 

[She  walks  proudly  amid  the  SLAVES  to  the  rear 
of  the  Pyramid,  where  a  fitful  red  glow  rises 
and  falls  as  if  fire  were  being  fanned.  They  dis- 
appear round  the  angle.  POTIPHAR  stands  rigid, 
listening] 

[Suddenly  there  is  a  ghastly  cry] 

[POTIPHAR  rends  his  garment  from  head  to  foot, 
and  sinks  on  the  ground] 

POTIPHAR.     The  eyes  that  offended  have  atoned. 
THE  SCENE  CHANGES 


137 


SCENE    IV 
IN   JOSEPH'S  HOUSE 

PERSONS 

Joseph 

Ben  j  amin 
Manasseh 
Ephraim 
Tehuti 


Sebni 

Atha 

Dedefre 

Enenkhet 

Asenath 

Tamai 


Jacob 

Reuben 

Simeon 

Levi 

Judah 

Dan 

Naphtali 

Gad 

Asher 

Issachar 

Zebulun 


Nobles,  Ladies,  Minstrels,  Dancing  Girls,  Slaves,  People 

138 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 


SCENE  4 — The  Hall  in  Joseph's  House 

It  is  of  light  and  graceful  architecture.  On  the  left 
is  a  raised  platform  running  along  the  entire  mall,  on 
which,  presently,  JOSEPH'S  table  will  be  set.  Two  doors, 
L.,  opening  on  to  this  platform.  Through  the  one  near 
the  footlights  JOSEPH  and  ASENATH  enter.  Through 
the  further  one,  the  SERVITORS.  The  back  is  practically 
entirely  open  to  the  garden,  but  all  the  openings  can 
be  closed  by  rolling  mats.  They  are  closed  at  the  rise 
of  the  curtain.  The  right  wall  also  has  two  doors.  Be- 
yond the  hall  and  garden  there  is  a  view  of  Memphis, 
with  huge  temples  and  still  more  enormous  storehouses 
and  granaries. 

At  the  rise  of  the  curtain  a  female  SLAVE  brings  on 
TAMAI,  leaves  her  in  the  centre  of  the  hall,  and  with  an 
obeisance  goes  off,  L.  Immediately  enter  ASENATH. 

ASENATH.     What  would'st  thou  with  me,  maiden? 

TAMAI.     Bid  thy  lord  beware  of  Simeon  the  hostage. 

ASENATH   [Frightened]     What  of  him? 

TAMAI.     He  hath  sworn  to  slay  thy  lord. 

ASENATH.     He  is  unarmed. 

TAMAI.    Zuleika  hath  given  him  a  poisoned  knife. 

ASENATH.     Alas !  is  her  hatred  so  ruthless ! 

[Enter  JOSEPH,  L.] 

TAMAI  [Sadly]     She  can  never  do  any  hurt  again. 

ASENATH.     What!     Is  she  dead? 

TAMAI.     She  is — blind. 

ASENATH.  Oh,  unhappy  wretch!  [To  JOSEPH,  who 
enters]  My  lord,  hear  what  this  maiden  saith  concern- 
ing Simeon. 

139 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

JOSEPH.     All  she  can  say  I  know. 

ASENATH.     The  knife ? 

JOSEPH.  I  know;  I  know.  Go  in — make  ready  for 
the  banquet. 

ASENATH.  With  a  heavy  heart.  Come  with  me, 
maiden. 

TAMAI.     Nay,  lady;  I  must  follow  another  road. 

ASENATH.     What  is  that? 

TAMAI.     To  wait  upon   the  blind  Zuleika 

ASENATH  [To  JOSEPH]  My  lord [She  whispers 

to  him] 

JOSEPH  [Coming  to  TAMAI]  Go  in  peace,  sister;  and 
fulfil  thine  errand  of  mercy.  [He  takes  her  head  in  his 
hand,  and  kisses  her.  She  goes  out,  C.,  shaken  with 
sobs] 

[ASENATH  has  gone  out.     Enter  ENENKHET] 

JOSEPH.    Well ? 

ENENKHET.  The  ten  brethren  have  entered  the  gates, 
my  lord. 

JOSEPH  [Eagerly]     Ten — !    Art  thou  sure? 

ENENKHET.     Ay,  my  good  lord. 

JOSEPH  [With  a  cry  of  joy]  Then  Benjamin,  whom 
I  have  never  seen,  is  here ! — Almighty  God,  I  thank 
Thee !  [He  goes  to  the  door  and  turns  to  speak  from 
the  platform  to  ENENKHET,  who  is  in  the  centre  of  the 
hall]  Bring  these  men  hither  and  slay  and  make  ready; 
for  these  men  shall  dine  with  me  at  noon.  [.Earif] 

[ENENKHET  claps  his  hands.  Enter  SERVANTS. 
They  draw  the  blinds  of  the  central  entrance  at 
the  back.  ENENKHET  goes  to  the  opening  and 
beckons  off  R.  Enter  the  BRETHREN.  They  are 
full  of  suspicion] 

140 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

[Meanwhile  the  SERVANTS  set  the  tables  and  cush- 
ions, and  dress  the  hall  with  flowers.  One  table 
is  set  with  four  seats  on  the  platform,  L.  An- 
other for  the  Egyptians  below  the  platform,  at 
right  angles  with  it,  near  the  back,  and  a  third 
for  the  BRETHREN,  extreme  R.,  leaving  an  open 
space,  C.] 

ENENKHET  [At  the  entrance]  Come  hither,  friends! 
Nay,  but  come  within  boldly. 

REUBEN  [Entering  suspiciously,  with  LEVI]  Because 
of  the  money  that  was  returned  in  our  sacks  at  the  first 
time  are  we  brought  in. 

LEVI.  Ay — that  he  may  seek  occasion  against  us,  and 
fall  upon  us,  and  take  us  for  bondmen. 

JUDAH  [With  BENJAMIN,  outside]  Go  not  within, 
till  we  know  my  lord's  mind. 

REUBEN  [To  the  STEWARD]  O  sir,  we  came  indeed 
down  at  the  first  time  to  buy  food,  and  when  we  opened 
our  sacks,  behold,  every  man's  money  in  full  weight! 
And  we  have  brought  it  again  in  our  hand. 

LEVI.  And  other  money  have  we  brought  to  buy 
food. 

JUDAH  [Who  has  entered  with  BENJAMIN — eagerly] 
We  cannot  tell  who  put  the  money  in  our  sacks. 

ENENKHET.  Peace  be  to  you,  fear  not;  your  God,  and 
the  God  of  your  fathers  hath  given  you  treasure  in 
your  sacks;  I  had  your  money. 

[All  the  BRETHREN  enter.  They  talk  together  in 
wonderment] 

ENENKHET  [To  SERVANTS]  Bring  forth  their 
brother  that  is  an  hostage.  [To  the  BRETHREN]  Ye 
are  to  dine  with  my  lord. 

141 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

[Two  SERVANTS  go  out,  R.  I.  ENENKHET  leaves 
the  BRETHREN  and  attends  to  the  preparations 
for  the  banquet.  The  BRETHREN  huddle  to- 
gether] 

ISSACHAR.     The  man  doth  us  too  much  honour. 
DAN.     I  fear  him. 

ZEBULUN.     Ay — we  will  move  warily 

JUDAH  [To  BENJAMIN,  who  is  wandering  off,  admir- 
ing the  hall]  Thou,  bide  at  my  side! 

BENJAMIN  [Laughing]     Fear  not  me,  brother ! 

[The  two  SERVANTS  re-enter,  R.  I.,  with  SIMEON. 
He  is  gloomy,  distraught,  and  scarcely  greets 
his  brethren] 

REUBEN.    Lo !     Simeon ! 
ALL   [Subdued]     Simeon — ! 
GAD.     How  is  it  with  thee?     Art  thou  whole? 
SIMEON.    It  is  well  with  me. 

ASHER.  Behold:  our  brother  has  taken  no  hurt;  the 
man  is  an  honourable  man. 

[The  BRETHREN  are  a  little  easier  in  their  minds. 
ENENKHET  goes  to  the  central  entrance,  where 
he  meets  TEHUTI,  SEBNI,  ATHA  and  DEDEFRE,  all 
in  their  richest  robes] 

ENENKHET  [To  them]  Hither,  my  lords!  [He  ush- 
ers them  in  with  great  ceremony.  They  eye  the  BRETH- 
REN askance] 

SIMEON  [In  a  quick  whisper — to  REUBEN]  Be  silent ! 
Be  watchful! 

REUBEN  [Startled  into  speaking  out  loud]  Is  there 
danger  ? 

SIMEON  [Viciously]     I  said,  Be  silent! 
142 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

TEHUTI  [Condescendingly;  to  JUDAH]  Are  ye  here 
also  to  sell  your  bodies  for  food? 

JUDAH  [Haughtily]  Not  so!  Our  God  is  good,  and 
we  have  money. 

[The  door  on  the  left  is  thrown  open] 

STEWARD.  Behold !  Zaphenath  Paneah,  the  Revealer 
of  Secrets,  the  lord  of  life,  the  Deliverer,  draweth  nigh. 

[Enter  JOSEPH,  ASENATH,  MANASSEH  and  EPHRAIM, 
in  robes  of  state.  The  two  latter  very  young 
boys.  All  prostrate  themselves.  ASENATH  and 
the  two  BOYS  go  behind  the  tables  prepared  for 
them.  JOSEPH  comes  to  the  front  of  the  plat- 
form] 

JOSEPH  [Gently]  Rise,  friends.  [A  pause]  Wel- 
come, ye  Hebrew  Brethren!  Is  all  well  with  you? 

REUBEN  [Standing  forward]  All  is  well  with  us,  my 
lord.  [He  crosses  and  kneels  at  the  foot  of  the  plat- 
form] Lo,  we  have  brought  an  humble  gift  for  my 
lord.  Honey  and  spices,  myrrh,  nuts  and  almonds.  It 
is  not  worth  my  lord's  notice. 

JOSEPH.  The  spirit  of  the  gift  is  all.  Is  your  father 
well?  The  old  man  of  whom  ye  spake?  Is  he  yet 
alive  ? 

REUBEN.  Thy  servant,  our  father,  is  in  good  health; 
he  is  yet  alive. 

JOSEPH  [Sees  BENJAMIN;  speaks  with  an  effort]  Is 
this  your  younger  brother  of  whom  ye  spake  unto  me? 

[REUBEN  retires.  JUDAH  brings  BENJAMIN  for- 
ward] 

JUDAH.  This  is  he,  my  lord;  Benjamin,  the  son  of 
Rachel. 

143 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

JOSEPH  [Instinctively  makes  to  step  down  and  em- 
brace BENJAMIN,  but  restrains  himself.  He  stretches 
out  his  arms  over  the  youth]  God  be  gracious  unto 
thee,  my  son.  [To  ENENKHET]  Set  on  bread.  [He 
turns  away,  covering  his  face  with  his  cloak,  and  gets 
to  his  seat  beside  ASENATH] 

[Under  ENENKHET'S  direction,  SERVANTS  bring  in 
the  banquet,  which  they  set  on  the  tables.  The 
GUESTS  are  still  standing] 

ASENATH  [To  JOSEPH]  Why  is  my  lord  so  deeply 
stirred  ? 

JOSEPH.     My  bowels  yearn  for  Benjamin! 

ASENATH.     Who  are  the  men,  my  lord? 

JOSEPH.  Wait  a  little  while.  [To  ENENKHET]  Come 
hither.  [He  whispers  to  him,  indicating  the  BRETHREN, 
and  pointing  to  his  silver  cup.  ENENKHET  shows  sur- 
prise; then  laughs;  finally  bows  in  assent] 

ENENKHET.     Thy  guests  are  waiting,  my  lord. 

JOSEPH.  Sit,  I  pray  you.  [The  EGYPTIANS  sit  at 
once.  The  BRETHREN  are  in  some  confusion]  Reuben, 
the  first-born,  according  to  his  birthright,  and  Simeon, 
Levi  and  Judah,  the  sons  of  Leah,  together;  the  sons 
of  Bilhah,  Dan  and  Naphtali;  Gad  and  Asher,  the  sons 
of  Zilpah;  the  later-born  sons  of  Leah,  Issachar  and 
Zebulun — and  the  youngest  according  to  his  youth ;  Ben- 
jamin, the  son  of  Rachel.  Set  their  messes  before  them, 
but  let  Benjamin's  mess  be  five  times  so  much  as  theirs. 

REUBEN  [Amazed]  He  knoweth  our  names  and  our 
degrees,  and  the  names  of  our  mothers! 

SIMEON.     It  is  black  wizardry. 

JOSEPH.  Ye  marvel  one  to  another  whence  cometh 
my  knowledge!  [He  holds  his  silver  cup  on  high]  Is 
not  this  my  cup  in  which  I  drink  and  [With  intention] 

144 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

whereby  indeed  I  divine?     Now,  drink  with  me,  friends, 
and  be  merry. 

[All  fall  to  with  merry  talk.  Only  the  EGYPTIANS 
are  silent  and  gloomy.  In  the  gardens  at  the 
back  are  MINSTRELS  and  DANCING  GIRLS.  The 
MINSTRELS  play  very  softly,  and  the  DANCING 
GIRLS  dance  silently] 

[The  Hebrews  are  keenly  interested.  The  EGYP- 
TIANS take  no  notice  of  the  dancers.  Presently 
ENENKHET  takes  the  cup  JOSEPH  has  drunk 
from,  goes  out  at  door,  L.  2,  and  is  seen  carry- 
ing the  cup  outside  across  the  garden  from  L.  to 
R.  Then  he  returns.  Meanwhile,  the  dialogue 
continues] 

JOSEPH  [To  the  EGYPTIANS]  Nay,  but  ye,  the  lords 
of  the  land,  ye  drink  not,  and  your  faces  are  dark. 

TEHUTI.  Our  souls  are  heavy,  my  lord,  for  we  are 
bondmen. 

SEBNI  [Violently]  Lo!  We  have  given  our  money, 
our  cattle,  our  lands,  and  our  bodies  to  Pharaoh. 

ATHA.     There  is  nothing  left  but  death ! 

DEDEFRE.     How,  then,  can  we  be  merry? 

SEBNI.     Shall  a  man  laugh  by  his  own  graveside? 

[Angry  murmur  and  gestures  among  the  EGYP- 
TIANS. The  HEBREWS  are  interested.  ASENATH 
anxious] 

JOSEPH.  Ye  mourn  too  soon.  Behold,  I  have  bought 
you  and  your  land  for  Pharaoh 

[The  EGYPTIANS  leap  to  their  feet  with  an  angry 
roar] 

TEHUTI.     Wilt  thou  make  a  boast  of  it? 
145 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

[Confusion.     JOSEPH  stands  calm] 

JOSEPH.  Now,  hearken — !  It  shall  come  to  pass 
in  the  good  years,  that  ye  shall  give  the  fifth  part  only 
unto  Pharaoh. 

[The  EGYPTIANS  are  attentive] 

SEBNI.     What  doth  he  say? 
DEDEFRE.     We  are  redeemed ! 

[The  EGYPTIANS  interrupt   him  with  wild  shouts] 

ATHA.    Thou  hast  saved  our  lives ! 
DEDEFRE.     Hail,  prince  of  life ! 
SEBNI.     Thou  hast  delivered  us  from  bondage! 
TEHUTI.     Hail,  Deliverer! 

[All  the  EGYPTIANS  rush  to  the  platform  with  ex- 
tended arms.  The  HEBREWS  also  have  risen,  and 
join  in  the  shout] 

[ENENKHET  has  recrossed  the  garden,  and  re- 
entered] 

ALL.     Deliverer ! 

STEWARD   [To  JOSEPH]     It  is  done. 

REUBEN.     He  is  a  righteous  man. 

LEVI.     His  God  is  with  him. 

JUDAH.    He  will  do  us  no  harm. 

JOSEPH  [2'o  the  HEBREWS]  Behold,  your  asses  are 
laden  with  food.  Journey  home  and  bring  your  little 
ones  comfort. 

REUBEN  [Advancing,  and  handing  a  leathern  bag  to 
the  STEWARD]  My  lord,  here  is  the  money. 

[All  the  HEBREWS  advance] 
JUDAH.     Farewell,  great  prince! 

[ALL  make  obeisance] 

146 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

JOSEPH.     I  drink  to  your  safe  journey.     My  cup ? 

ENENKHET.     The  cup  is  lost,  my  lord! 
ALL    [With   horror]      Lost — ! 

[Instinctively  the  HEBREWS  gather  in  a  knot] 

ENENKHET  [To  them]  Wherefore  have  ye  rewarded 
evil  for  good  ?  Ye  have  stolen  the  cup ! 

[With  an  exclamation  of  horror  the  HEBREWS  surge 
down  to  R.  front] 

EGYPTIANS   [Furious]      Ha!     Dogs! 

ASENATH   [Frightened]     Husband ! 

JOSEPH   [Calmly]     Let  be. 

REUBEN  [Stepping  forward]  Wherefore  saith  my 
lord  these  words?  God  forbid  thy  servants  should  do 
this  thing! 

EGYPTIANS.     Strike  them  down! 

LEVI.  The  money  which  we  found  in  our  sacks' 
mouths  we  brought  again  unto  thee;  how  then  should 
we  steal  out  of  thine  house  silver  or  gold? 

GAD.     Moreover,  we  have  not  moved. 

[Cries  of  assent  from  the  HEBREWS] 

ENENKHET  [Indicating  the  EGYPTIANS]  Ay!  in  the 
turmoil  these  lords  made? 

EGYPTIANS.      Slay  them!     Slay  them! 

JUDAH  [Hotly]  With  whomsoever  of  thy  servants  it 
be  found,  both  let  him  die,  and  we  also  will  be  my  lord's 
bondmen ! 

[Assent  from  the  BRETHREN.  Laughter  from  the 
EGYPTIANS.  The  asses  of  the  HEBREWS  stand  in 
the  garden,  laden,  and  with  SLAVES  attending 
them] 

147 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

JOSEPH  [Gravely]  Let  it  be  according  unto  your 
words.  [To  ENENKHET,  who  is  at  the  entrance]  Search. 

[ENENKHET  and  the  SERVANTS  open  the  sacks] 

JOSEPH.  Begin  with  the  eldest.  He  with  whom  it  is 
found  shall  be  my  servant;  and  ye  shall  be  blameless. 

SIMEON  [Caressing  his  knife]  She  was  right!  It  is 
the  plot!  Oh!  that  I  could  reach  him! 

[A  silence.     All  watch  the  search.     The  BRETHREN 

lean  forward  in  intense  excitement] 
[ENENKHET  suddenly  holds  up  the  cup] 

ALL.    The  cup! 

ENENKHET.     In  the  sack  of  the  youngest. 

BRETHREN  [With  a  cry  of  agony]  Benjamin!  [They 
cover  their  faces] 

LEVI.      It   is   Joseph's   blood   crying   for  "] 
atonement.  I  [Almost 

ISSACHAR.  Therefore  is  this  distress  come  [together] 
upon  us ! 

EGYPTIANS.     Slay  them !     Slay  them ! 

JOSEPH  [Very  gravely]  What  deed  is  this  that  ye 
have  done?  [Sternly]  Wot  ye  not  that  such  a  man  as 
I  am  can  certainly  divine? 

REUBEN  [His  voice  broken  with  sobs]  What  shall 
we  say  unto  my  lord?  What  shall  we  speak?  Or  how 
shall  we  clear  ourselves?  God  hath  found  out  the  in- 
iquity of  thy  servants:  [Very  humbly]  behold,  we  are 
my  lord's  servants,  both  we,  and  he  also  with  whom  the 
cup  is  found. 

JOSEPH.  God  forbid  that  I  should  do  so;  but  the 
man  in  whose  hand  the  cup  is  found,  he  shall  be  my 

servant 

148 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

BRETHREN  [In  a  horrified  whisper  among  themselves] 
Ben  j  amiii ! 

JOSEPH.  And  as  for. you — get  ye  up  in  peace  unto 
your  father 

BRETHREN  [As  above]  To  Jacob — without  Benja- 
min— ! 

EGYPTIANS.     Too  merciful!     Slay  them   all! 

[At  a  sign  from  JOSEPH  the  EGYPTIANS  leave  the 
hall  and  the  curtains  are  closed] 

[JUDAH  brings  BENJAMIN  forward.  He  begins 
very  quietly,  very  humbly;  but  as  he  goes  on,  he 
is  carried  away  by  the  pathos  of  his  own  words. 
Towards  the  middle  of  his  speech,  JOSEPH  veils 
his  face.  ASENATH  weeps  silently] 

JUDAH.  Oh,  my  lord,  let  thy  servant,  I  pray  thee, 
speak  a  word  in  rny  lord's  ears,  and  let  not  thine  anger 
burn  against  thy  servant,  for  thou  art  even  as  Pharaoh. 
— My  lord  asked  his  servant  saying,  Have  ye  a  father, 
or  a  brother?  And  we  said  unto  my  lord,  We  have  a 
father,  an  old  man,  and  a  child  of  his  old  age,  and  his 
brother  is  dead,  and  he  alone  is  left  of  his  mother,  and 
his  father  loveth  him.  And  thou  said'st  unto  thy  ser- 
vants, Bring  him  down  unto  me,  that  I  may  set  mine 
eyes  upon  him.  And  we  said,  The  lad  cannot  leave  his 
father;  for  if  he  should  leave  his  father  his  father 
would  die.  And  thou  said'st  unto  thy  servant,  Except 
thy  younger  brother  come  down  with  you,  ye  shall  see 
my  face  no  more.  Also  thou  heldest  Simeon  as  host- 
age. And  when  we  came  up  unto  thy  servant  my 
father,  we  told  him  the  words  of  my  lord.  And  our 
father  said,  Go  again,  and  buy  a  little  food.  And  we 
said,  We  cannot  go  down;  if  our  younger  brother  be 
with  us,  then  will  we  go  down;  for  we  may  not  see  the 

149 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

man's  face  except  our  youngest  brother  be  with  us. 
And  thy  servant  my  father  said,  Ye  know  that  my  wife 
bare  me  two  sons:  and  the  one  went  out  from  me,  and  I 
said,  Surely  he  is  torn  in  pieces;  and  I  saw  him  not 
since.  And  if  ye  take  this  also  from  me,  and  mischief 
befall  him,  ye  shall  bring  down  my  grey  hairs  with 
sorrow  to  the  grave.  Now,  therefore,  when  I  come  to 
my  father,  and  the  lad  be  not  with  us;  seeing  that  his 
life  is  bound  up  in  the  lad's  life;  it  shall  come  to  pass, 
when  he  seeth  that  the  lad  is  not  with  us,  that  he  will 
die:  and  thy  servant  shall  bring  down  the  grey  hairs  of 
thy  servant  my  father  with  sorrow  to  the  grave.  For 
thy  servant  became  surety  for  the  lad  unto  my  father, 
saying,  If  I  bring  him  not  unto  thee,  then  shall  I  bear 
the  blame  to  my  father  forever.  Now,  therefore,  I 
pray  thee,  let  thy  servant  abide  instead  of  the  lad  a 
bondman  to  my  lord:  and  let  the  lad  go  up  with  his 
brethren.  [With  extreme  agony]  For  how  shall  I  go 
up  to  my  father,  and  the  lad  be  not  with  me  ?  lest  perad- 
venture  I  see  the  evil  that  shall  come  to  my  father. 

[JUDAH  falls  prone,  with  outstretched  arms  before 
JOSEPH.  The  BRETHREN  also  are  prostrate,  all 
but  SIMEON,  who  remains  standing,  fingering  his 
knife.  ASENATH  makes  a  gesture  of  appeal] 

[SIMEON  suddenly  bursts  through  the  knot  of 
BRETHREN,  brandishing  his  knife] 

SIMEON.     Vengeance !     Vengeance ! 
BRETHREN   [With  horror]     Simeon! 

[They  hold  him.     Uproar] 

JOSEPH  [On  the  step,  removing  his  cloak  from  his 
face,  which  is  now  radiant,  and  speaking  with  the  ut- 
most simplicity]  Peace! — I  am  Joseph! 

150 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

BRETHREN  [Starting  back  and  huddling  together, 
amazed]  Joseph ! 

JOSEPH  [As  above]     Doth  my  father  yet  live? 

[The  BRETHREN  are  stricken  with  terror.  They 
can  utter  no  sound] 

JOSEPH.  Fear  not.  Shall  I  judge  you?  Am  I  in 
the  place  of  God?  [He  throws  open  his  robe.  He  is 
clad  in  a  shepherd's  dress  similar  to  the  one  he  wore  in 
Acts  I  and  II.  The  BRETHREN  begin  to  recognize  him, 
but  are  all  the  more  panic-stricken] 

JOSEPH  [Holding  out  his  arms,  affectionately]  Come 
near  unto  me.  [They  do  not  stir;  he  speaks  with  ex- 
treme yearning]  I  pray  you ! — I  am  Joseph,  your 
brother,  whom  ye  sold  into  Egypt. 

SIMEON  [With  a  cry  of  agony]  Joseph!  Joseph! 
[He  throws  himself  at  JOSEPH'S  feet] 

[The  BRETHREN  burst  into  wild  cries,  sobs,  hyster- 
ical laughter,  as  they  surge  towards  JOSEPH  and 
hurl  themselves  in  a  confused  mass  before  him] 

JOSEPH  [Coming  down  amongst  them,  while  they  em- 
brace his  knees,  kiss  his  garments  and  his  feet,  reach 
up  to  him  and  touch  him]  Be  not  grieved  or  angry  with 
yourselves  that  ye  sold  me  hither;  for  God  did  send  me 
before  you  to  preserve  life,  and  to  preserve  you  a  pos- 
terity in  the  earth,  and  to  save  your  lives  by  a  great 
deliverance.  So  now  it  was  not  you  that  sent  me 
hither,  but  God.  [He  lifts  BENJAMIN  to  his  heart]  O 
Benjamin!  My  brother!  My  brother! 

[With    cries    of    "JOSEPH!" — "Brother!"    all    the 
BRETHREN   crowd   round   to   embrace  him.     But 
SIMEON  stands  apart  in  despair — he  is  thinking 
of  slaying  himself  with  his  own  knife] 
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JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

JOSEPH   [Crossing  to  him]      Sirneon- 


SIMEON  [Breaking  into  sobs]  Thou  knowest  not ! — 
Thou  knowest  not 

JOSEPH  [Putting  his  arm  round  his  shoulder]  I  know. 
[Laughing]  Did  she  not  speak  truth  ?  Was  I  not  hold- 
ing Joseph  in  hiding? 

SIMEON  [Falling  into  JOSEPH'S  arms]  Oh !  my 
brother ! 

JOSEPH.  Summon  all  the  people!  Let  them  rejoice 
with  me. 

[ASENATH  opens  door,  L.  2.  Immediately  all  the 
doors  and  the  curtains  are  opened;  the  EGYPTIAN 
NOBLES  and  all  JOSEPH'S  household  stream  in, 
excitedly.  ASENATH  meanwhile  comes  down  with 
the  two  boys,  and  JOSEPH  shows  them  to  his 
BRETHREN,  who  make  obeisance  to  ASENATH, 
embrace  the  boys,  etc.] 

JOSEPH  [To  the  CROWD]  Behold!  These  are  my 
brethren  from  the  Land  of  Canaan.  Shew  them  like 
honour  as  ye  shew  unto  me ! 

[Exchange   of  greetings] 

REUBEN.  Now  must  we  hasten  to  Canaan  to  tell  our 
father  the  great  news. 

JOSEPH.  Nay,  but  ye  shall  abide  here,  and  send  for 
your  wives  and  your  little  ones ;  for  the  good  of  all  the 
land  of  Egypt  is  yours. 

JUDAH.  Our  father  yearneth  for  Benjamin — and 
for  thee  also  he  hath  grieved  all  the  years  that  thou 
wast  lost. 

[A  great  shout  goes  up  outside] 

JOSEPH.     Throw  wide  the  gates ! 
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JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

[All  the  enclosure  at  the  back  is  removed.  The 
gardens  are  full  of  an  excited  throng.  Through 
the  crowd  comes  a  procession  of  CANAANITES, 
MEN,  WOMEN  and  CHILDREN,  with,  in  their 
midst,  JACOB,  borne  on  a  litter  high  on  the  shoul- 
ders of  eight  bearers] 

[JOSEPH  awaits  the  entrance  of  the  litter,  with 
MANASSEH  on  his  left  hand  and  EPHRAIM  on  his 
right.  ASENATH  stands  a  little  behind,  all  with 
their  backs  to  the  audience] 

[The  BRETHREN,  at  the  sight  of  JACOB,  have  cried: 
"Jacob!  Our  father!  Israel!"  and  have  made 
room  for  JOSEPH  and  his  group  to  stand  alone] 

[The  litter  is  set  down,  and  is  so  built  that  when 
it  is  on  the  ground  JACOB  is  very  nearly  upright] 

[The  CROWD  form  a  great  semi-circle  round  the 
central  group] 

JOSEPH.  Great  Israel!  Behold  thy  son!  [He  rushes 
to  his  father's  arms] 

JACOB.  Now  let  me  die,  since  I  have  seen  thy  face! 
[He  rises,  with  outstretched  arms,  inspired]  Joseph  is 
a  fruitful  bough  by  a  well,  whose  branches  run  over  the 
wall;  the  archers  have  sorely  grieved  him,  and  shot  at 
him,  and  persecuted  him;  but  his  bough  abode  in 
strength  and  the  arms  of  his  hands  were  made  strong, 
by  the  Hands  of  the  Mighty  One  of  Jacob,  even  by  the 
God  of  thy  father,  who  shall  help  thee,  and  by  the  Al- 
mighty, who  shall  bless  thee  with  blessings  of  heaven 
above,  blessings  of  the  deep  that  coucheth  beneath, 
blessings  of  the  breast  and  of  the  womb.  The  blessings 
of  thy  father  have  prevailed  above  the  blessings  of  my 
progenitors  unto  the  utmost  bound  of  the  everlasting 

153 


JOSEPH     AND     HIS     BRETHREN 

hills;  they  shall  be  on  the  head  of  Joseph,  and  on  the 
crown  of  the  head  of  him  that  was  separate  from  his 
brethren. 

[ALL  stretch  their  arms  out  to  him  in  the  soft  after- 
glow of  the  sunset] 

JOSEPH.  He  raiseth  the  poor  from  the  dust;  from  the 
depths  He  lifteth  up  the  needy.  Oh,  Lord  of  Hosts, 
happy  is  the  man  who  trusteth  in  Thee! 


CURTAIN 


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